CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla – For the sixteenth and ultimate time, a Delta IV Heavy rocket is prepared for launch.Delta rockets have been launching American missions in area for the reason that early ‘60s, however now that the brand new Vulcan Centaur rocket is off the bottom, United Launch Alliance is changing the Delta IV and later, the Atlas V rocket too.Tuesday, the corporate let Information 6 reporter James Sparvero see the Heavy rocket up shut one final time because it prepares to launch its ultimate nationwide safety mission.Launch operations director and basic supervisor Ron Fortson spoke to members of the media on the gates of launch advanced 37.[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]“That automobile behind us, producing over 2.1 million kilos of thrust,” Fortson mentioned. “It’s the top of a legacy right here however on the similar time, we’ve acquired Vulcan coming down the street and so we’ve acquired a giant future forward of us, as properly so.”Fortson then commented on how the brand new Vulcan is a extra reasonably priced launch automobile for ULA and its clients in comparison with the Delta IV Heavy.“It is a very succesful rocket, however it’s additionally an costly rocket, and so it’s simply time to maneuver on to one thing that’s actually going to supply extra worth and extra functionality at a decrease value for the longer term,” he mentioned. “It’s simply the suitable factor to do proper now.”Climate circumstances are solely 30% favorable for a launch on Thursday.The launch is at the moment scheduled for 1:40 p.m., however ought to the launch not have the ability to occur Thursday, Fortson mentioned there are backup alternatives Friday and on Monday.Use the shape beneath to join the ClickOrlando.com area e-newsletter, despatched each Wednesday afternoon.Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.