Summary Orbital Sciences has delayed a bid Saturday to launch a first test flight of its Antares rocket.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Orbital Sciences, one of two private US firms chosen by NASA to shuttle cargo to the International Space Station, delayed a bid Saturday to launch a first test flight of its Antares rocket.
Launch was rescheduled for Sunday at 5:00 pm (2100 GMT) from the Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia state s Eastern Shore.
"Excessive wind levels have caused mission managers to delay the launch attempt today of Orbital Sciences Antares rocket," NASA said on its website.
"The high-altitude wind speeds exceed range safety restrictions."
The Antares rocket, a two-stage launch vehicle 131 feet (40 meters) tall and 12.8 feet in diameter, is set to hit an orbit of 155 miles (249 kilometers) about 10 minutes after take-off.
A $1.9 billion contract requires Orbital Sciences to deliver freight to the ISS over the course of eight flights by the beginning of 2016.
