The NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST-5) mission due to launch on an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from Vandenberg Air Force base has been delayed to a NET (No Earlier Than) launch date of March 11, to allow for a review of data from the spacecraft's separation system.
Pegasus XL Offshore Launch An air-launched Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket will carry three small microsatellites into orbit for JPL's Space Technology 5 mission. The airborne launch has a target drop time of 1357:21-1519:21 GMT. on February 28th, 2006. The payload will be placed in a 2,800-mile-high orbit. NASA reports the mating of the three Pegasus XL stages was completed in the Orbital Sciences hangar and SpaceTech 5 testing and checkout is complete. The spacecraft is scheduled for mating with Pegasus on February 6.