Bedeviled Rocket Launch Delayed Again

LOS ANGELES, CA — Another attempted launch of a satellite-carrying rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County was scrubbed Thursday, and mission managers said the launch won't happen until at least Dec. 30.

It was the fifth time United Launch Alliance scrubbed the planned launch of the reconnaissance satellite, again frustrating Southern California residents hoping to enjoy the aerial light spectacular that evening launches from Vandenberg create.

The launch had been scheduled for 5:31 p.m., but ULA announced shortly after 10 a.m. that the launch was being postponed.

The launch, when it finally does happen, will give Southland residents a chance at a rare light show.

Evening launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County typically create impressive aerial light shows over Southern California and the southwestern United States. The launch is now set for 5:31 p.m. Thursday. The Delta IV Heavy rocket will be carrying a secretive satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

The United Launch Alliance mission to launch the reconnaissance satellite-carrying rocket into orbit was scrubbed for a fourth time on Wednesday night because of a hydrogen leak in the Delta IV Heavy rocket. Wednesday's launch had been set for 5:44 p.m., but it was originally delayed by five minutes, then scrubbed altogether less than 10 minutes before takeoff.

At the time the launch was supposed to happen, residents in Northern California reported seeing an "odd light" in the sky, creating mass confusion.

Some thought the light may have been from the undocking of the Soyuz spacecraft with the International Space Station Expedition 57 crew. It was scheduled at 5:42 p.m., according to NASA. but the space station wasn't visible from Northern California at the time.

The American Meteor Society and the National Weather Service insisted it was likely a fireball, which is a very bright meteor.

RELATED: Mystery Light: 'Bright Fireball Over San Francisco Bay'

"Two videos of the event clearly show it was a fireball," the society announced.

A planned rocket launch was also scrubbed on Tuesday due to high winds. On Dec. 8, the launch was scrubbed just 7.5 seconds before its scheduled lift off due to a technical glitch. An operational problem had caused a delay in the launch one day prior to that.

"We are proud to launch this critical payload in support of our nation's national security mission," Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of government and commercial programs, said in a statement prior to the two delays. "As the nation's premiere launch provider, the teams have worked diligently to ensure continued mission success, delivering our customer's payloads to the precise orbits requested."

According to the company, the Delta IV Heavy rocket includes three Rocketdyne liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engines that can produce a combined 2.1 million pounds of thrust.

ULA has carried out 27 launches for the National Reconnaissance Office over the past 12 years.

City News Service contributed to this report; Photo of satellite launch by Paige Austin