UPDATE: Due to thunderstorms in the launch area NASA scrapped the launch Tuesday. They plan on giving it another shot on Wednesday night.
We could be in for an aviation treat Tuesday night, that is, if the weather allows it to happen.
NASA says that they will attempt to launch the U.S. Air Force's first Operationally Responsive Space (ORS-1) satellite around sunset (about 8:30).
The launch, which will happen at the Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Va. could be visible from New York to North Carolina, and could stretch as far west as western Pennsylvania, according to NASA.
ORS-1 is scheduled to launch on the U.S. Air Force’s 70-foot tall, 5-foot wide, Minotaur I rocket. The $226-million mission will provide data to military forces in war zones, Spaceflightnow.com reports.
Even though the launch is set for 8:28 it could be pushed back as far as 11:28 before a three-hour launch window closes, officials said.
Officials say there is a 70 percent chance weather could force a delay. The mission’s launch window runs until July 10, according to Delaware Online.
Back at home, clouds could hinder visibility, if the rocket does launch on Tuesday. The Earthwatch forecast calls for scattered showers and possible thunderstorms.
NASA will announce launch updates via Wallops Flight Facility's twitter feed. A live video webcast will run throughout the evening on NASA's website.
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our breaking news newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
