Bruce Buckingham                             For Release:
Vandenberg AFB, Calif.                       Aug. 18, 1996
805-734-8232, Ext. 5-3051

Jim Sahli
Goddard Space Flight Center
805-734-8232, Ext. 5-3051

Barron Beneski
Orbital Sciences Corp.
703-406-5527

PEGASUS/FAST SPACECRAFT LAUNCH ABORTED

The launch of the FAST spacecraft aboard a Pegasus XL launch vehicle was aborted this morning at approximately 2:35 a.m. PDT. NASA officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base said that the spacecraft was having difficulty receiving commands during the launch configuration process. Troubleshooting could not isolate the problem in time to proceed with a launch this morning.

The launch from the L-1011 is currently scheduled for no earlier than Wednesday, Aug 21 during a window which extends from about 2:42 a.m. to 2:50 a.m. PDT. The deployment of the Pegasus will occur in the middle of the window at approximately 2:46 a.m. PDT. Live audio of the launch commentary will be available on the "V" circuits which may be dialed at 407-867-1220, 407-867-1240, or 407-867-1260.

Additional updates will be provided as more information is known. To check the status of the launch dial 805-734-8232, Ext. 5-3456.