CAPE CANAVERAL — A last-minute technical problem Saturday delayed NASA’sunprecedented flight to the sun.
The early morning launch countdown was halted with just one-minute, 55seconds remaining, keeping the Delta IV rocket on its pad with the ParkerSolar Probe.
Rocket maker United Launch Alliance said it would try again Sunday,provided the helium-pressure issue can be resolved quickly. As soon as thered pressure alarm for the gaseous helium system went off, a launchcontroller ordered, “Hold, hold, hold.”
Once on its way, the Parker probe will venture closer to our star than anyother spacecraft. The $1.5 million mission is already a week late becauseof rocket issues. Saturday’s launch attempt encountered a series of snags;in the end, controllers ran out of time.
Thousands of spectators gathered in the middle of the night to witness thelaunch, including the University of Chicago astrophysicist for whom thespacecraft is named. Eugene Parker predicted the existence of solar wind 60years ago. He’s now 91 and eager to see the solar probe soar. He plans tostick around at least another few days.