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Satnews Daily
May 13th, 2009

TACSAT-3 Toss To Take Place May 19


TACSAT-3 satellite (USAF) The TACSAT-3 team at Wallops Flight Facility worked with precision to overcome a ground support equipment issue early in the countdown and attempted a launch late in the 3 hour launch window. However, during the last minutes of the countdown, a Flight Termination System (FTS) anomaly appeared, which caused the launch to be aborted. The FTS is a "safety of flight system" required to destroy a rocket in the event it doesn't follow the prescribed flight path.  The team has taken steps to characterize the FTS issue and SMC look towards another launch attempt on May 19th. SMC thanks NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Eastern Range, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport personnel who continue to support this crucial effort.