Orbital Sciences Corporation has announced that all systems are a go for the launch of the Antares rocket, and it sounds like it will be a heck of a show for those living in Virginia.
"This is the biggest, loudest and brightest rocket ever to launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility," Orbital Sciences Corporation manager Frank Culbertson stated at a media briefing covered by Universe Today.
The commercial rocket is on a mission to resupply the International Space Station.
The Antares rocket launch was postponed earlier this week due to a problem with an external "umbilical cord." These cords are used to supply power, and also allow the flight controllers to monitor the rocket's systems until right before it launches. These controls are then transferred to the rocket's internal systems.
"You learn a little bit form every launch attempt. So we'll take the lessons learned today and move into another launch attempt as soon as it's safe to do so," said senior project manager John Steinmeyer to The Christian Science Monitor.
The company has announced that it will try for a launch "no earlier" than 5 PM on Saturday.
If you'd like to see the rocket, it should be visible in the southeastern sky about two or three minutes after lift off. Orbital Sciences Corporation has released a few possible vantage points to spot Antares at locations in Northern Virginia and DC. It's being recommended that you look for an area with a clear view of the southeastern horizon, as the rocket will only be rising approximately 10 degrees above it.
Additionally Space.com will be hosting a live stream from NASA TV.
Orbital Sciences Corporation was previously responsible for the first privately developed space launch vehicle. It currently holds a $1.9 billion contract with NASA to develop and launch eight unmanned resupply trips to the International Space Station.
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