This was the third launch of an Atlas 5, which made its debut 11 months ago. It is one of two new heavy-lift rockets, along with Boeing Co’s. Delta 4, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force.
The 7:45 p.m. ET liftoff was delayed about 25 minutes until storm clouds had cleared the launch site and officials had satisfied themselves that indications of a minute fuel leak were no cause for concern, a Lockheed spokesman said.
