The launch of the first Wideband Global Satellite slated for Oct. 9 from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., was delayed for 24 hours because of a “possibly incorrect data signature” related to its Atlas V launch vehicle, reports Patrick Peterson of Florida Today. The problem, if any, is unrelated to the leaky engine valve problem encountered with a June 15 launch of an Atlas V. After an initial assessment of that anomaly, Space and Missile Systems Center and United Launch Alliance initiated corrective actions, including replacing the valve, for upcoming Atlas V and Delta IV launches. A subsequent independent review confirmed the earlier findings.
The Trump administration on April 21 nominated Erich Hernandez-Baquero, an executive at Raytheon, to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration.