Rocket With Satellite Payload Is Launched
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Air Force on Sunday launched a rocket carrying a $65-million navigation satellite.
It was the third launch attempt. A Nov. 6 attempt was aborted when the engine failed to ignite. A launch planned for Saturday was thwarted by clouds and possible lightning.
The threat of lightning almost forced another delay, but conditions improved and the 12 1/2-story Delta rocket blasted off about six minutes late.
The Navstar Global Positioning System is the 16th in a series of 24 advanced navigation spacecraft. The Air Force wants to eventually have 24 orbiting 12,500 miles above Earth.
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