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takyon writes:

[Update: The launch was delayed to the end of the 5-minute launch window because of a vessel in the safety area in the bay. Launch was successful. Second-stage separation went cleanly and the Cygnus supply ship is on course for its journey to the International Space Station. NASA TV coverage resumes for solar array deployment scheduled at 8:45 EST (13:45 UTC) --martyb]

[Update 2: Solar array deployment was successful and "the cargo craft is set to fine-tune its approach to the space station with a series of thruster firings over the next two days." - Fnord666]

Antares launch to resupply space station halted by wayward airplane

Managers aborted liftoff of a commercial Antares cargo launcher Saturday when an aircraft strayed into restricted airspace near the rocket's planned flight path east from Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The Antares rocket and a Cygnus supply ship, both owned by Orbital ATK, were ready for liftoff at 7:37 a.m. EST (1237 GMT) Saturday. The launch team loaded kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants into the first stage of the Antares booster, and a computer-controlled countdown sequencer took over for the final three minutes before liftoff.

But an unidentified aircraft ventured into the safety zone surrounding the rocket and its planned trajectory over the Atlantic Ocean. "LC, LC, we are red," a member of the launch team told Adam Lewis, Orbital ATK's launch conductor. "We have an aircraft in the hazard area." "Copy that," Lewis replied. "Abort, abort, abort. This is LC on the countdown net. Abort, abort, abort. Proceed to the abort safing checklist."

Another attempt will be made today (Sunday) at 7:14 AM EST (1214 GMT). You can watch coverage on NASA TV starting right now.

Also at Spaceflight Insider.

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