Atlas Launch Scrubbed Until Friday at the Cape

The launch of an Atlas 5 communications satellite was moved to Friday after being scrubbed Thursday due to technical reasons.

"The launch of an Atlas 5 carrying the United States Air Force's Advanced Extremely High Frequency 2 (AEHF 2) payload was scrubbed today due to lack of helium flow from the ground support equipment to the interstage adapter compartment on the launch vehicle, according to a statement from United Launch Alliance.

The Atlas 5 vehicle and AEHF 2 are safe and secure at this time. The launch is rescheduled for Friday, May 4, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The opening of the launch window is 2:42 p.m. EDT and extends until 4:42 p.m. The forecast for May 4 shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch tomorrow.