The U.S. Air Force and launch provider United Launch Alliance (ULA) have once again scrubbed the launch of the fifth Wideband Global Satcom (WGS-5) spacecraft, this time due to an issue with a helium pressurization line that is part of the Delta IV rocket’s ground support equipment. Launch from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., which had been targeted for a 30-min. window opening at 8:27 p.m. EDT May 23, has now been pushed back 24 hr. to the same window on May 24. Weather forecasts predict an 80% chance of favorable conditions for liftoff, according to ULA.

DEEP SPACE COMMS: Maintenance, operations and engineering services for NASA’s Deep Space Network of spacecraft communications links will be provided for at least five years by ITT Exelis under a contract awarded by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. If the McLean, Va.-based company meets the requirements for incentive provisions, the contract can extend to a maximum of 10 years with a total value of $435 million.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is activating an in-orbit Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) spare as experts try to rescue a primary spacecraft that has failed to deliver basic weather data for a second time in less than a year, according to officials in the satellite community.

Space Act Agreement intends to provide NASA with new insight

Officials at NASA on May 23 denied an account in the pending fiscal 2014 defense authorization bill that it disclosed the transfer of missile-defense technology to China, leaving a mystery clouded by the secrecy classification of part of the legislation. “NASA has no record of a voluntary disclosure being filed with the Department of State regarding the alleged transfer of controlled U.S. Missile Defense Agency defense technology to the People’s Republic of China,” an agency spokesman said after a day-long review of the matter at NASA headquarters.

Ammonia coolant system leak required a spacewalk repair

NASA LEAK: The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee says NASA has conceded it may have leaked sensitive missile defense technology to China, and the panel wants a top-level briefing on any damage done as a result. The subcommittee’s fiscal 2014 authorization bill includes notice that the panel “is aware” NASA issued a notice of voluntary disclosure “regarding the alleged transfer of controlled U.S.

Committee wants path that leads to human boots on the surface