ORBITAL SCIENCES (OSC) will attempt to launch its Pegasus XL booster, carrying the US Air Force REX 2 satellite, during a 30-day launch window starting on 29 February.
The first launch attempt failed on 22 June, 1995.after human error during assembly led to the improper installation of one of three nozzle/inter-stage "skids", preventing the inter-stage connecting the first and second stages from separating properly from stage two after its ordnance charge fired.
With a backlog of important launches in a bulging order book, the XL flight is vital to OSC's place in the low-Earth orbit satellite launch market (Flight International, 27 September-3 October 1995).
"We believe that the vehicle is now ready for flight," says David Thompson, OSC president and chief executive, who said that it had been extensively tested.
Source: Flight International
