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Rocket Launch Expected To Be Visible In Somers Moved To Monday

The launch of a private rocket headed to the International Space Station from Virginia scheduled for Sunday night has been postponed until Monday evening.

Take a look at the mission preview for our OA-5 mission, is now scheduled for launch on Monday, Oct. 17.

Photo Credit: Orbital ATK
This map shows the regions of visibility for the nighttime launch.

This map shows the regions of visibility for the nighttime launch.

Photo Credit: Orbital ATK

The launch is now scheduled for 7:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17.

The 24-hour postponement of the launch of Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket is due to a ground support equipment (GSE) cable that did not perform as expected during the pre-launch check out, according to NASA. 

"We have spares on hand and rework procedures are in process," NASA said. "The Antares and Cygnus teams are not currently working any technical issues with the rocket or the spacecraft." 

The Antares rocket will launch from  Wallops Island, Va., and is expected to be visible to millions along the East Coast, according to NASA.

Orbital ATK has contracted with NASA for a series of supply missions to the space station.

Named CRS OA-5, it's the seventh planned flight of the unmanned resupply spacecraft to the space station for NASA.

The rocket for this mission is named the SS Alan Poindexter for astronaut Alan G. Poindexter, a space shuttle commander who died in a 2012 water sports accident.

The rocket will appear as a bright moving star, as the first stage uses kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants. Observers who use binoculars might also be able to see a short contrail. 

For updates on the mission, check this report from NASA.

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