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UPDATE: Rocket Launch Moved To Monday

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Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket on the launch pad. Credit: NASA
Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket on the launch pad.
Credit: NASA

UPDATED: 5:47 p.m., Sunday: 

The planned Sunday launch of Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket has been delayed to Monday.

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A piece of support equipment “did not perform as expected during the pre-launch check out,” NASA officials said.

The launch is now scheduled for Monday at 7:40 p.m.

Original Story:

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The launch of a rocket in Virginia is expected to be visible over Lower Bucks County Sunday evening.

NASA is expected to launch an Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket around 8:03 p.m. Sunday.

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With its payload of 5,000 pounds of supplies bound for the International Space Station, the rocket will take off from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.

Depending on the weather, the launch will be visible throughout the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast. The spacecraft will be visible in the southeast portion of the area starting about 90 seconds after launch.

Click here to see the mission page

Credit: Orbital ATK
Credit: Orbital ATK

The National Weather Service is calling for “mostly cloudy” skies during the launch window.

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The launch was delayed from last week due to Hurricane Nicole.

If you’re looking for some great area outlooks to see the launch, we’ve got them for you below.

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(Disclaimer: Some of the locations are “closed” to visitors at night. Our list is of places to where it would be enjoyable watch the launch. We can’t guarantee you’ll be able to gain access to all the sites, and we would certainly never condone trespassing.)

1. Woodbourne Square Shopping Center in Middletown

The parking lot of the Woodbourne Square Shopping Center at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Woodbourne Road provides a overlook toward the southeast. Credit: Google Street View
The parking lot of the Woodbourne Square Shopping Center at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Woodbourne Road provides a overlook toward the southeast.
Credit: Google Street View

2. Bristol Wharf in Bristol

 

The river-front views at the Bristol Wharf should provide excellent viewing for Friday night's launch. Credit: Jeff Bohen/LevittownNow.com
The river-front views at the Bristol Wharf should provide excellent viewing for the launch.
Credit: LevittownNow.com

3. Quaker Penn Park in Falls

The boat docks at Quaker Penn Park along the Delaware River in Falls Township should make a great spot to catch the rocket launch. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

4. Maple Point Middle School in Middletown

File photo Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The school sits on a hill that should provide a great view of the southeast portion of the night sky. The ideal location would be the parking lot above the sports fields.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

5. Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem and Croydon

The banks of the Delaware River in Croydon and Bensalem should also provide excellent spots to watch the rocket launch, which will appear to the left of the skyline. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The banks of the Delaware River in Croydon and Bensalem should also provide excellent spots to watch the rocket launch, which will appear to the left of the skyline.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

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Staff

Staff