The launch date for a communications satellite damaged during final preparations last week has been pushed back.

  • Satellite damaged during final preparations
  • NASA, Boeing, ULA have pushed back launch date
  • No word yet on new launch date or time

NASA said Saturday that an "incident" damaged the antenna of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville. The agency and Boeing need extra time to replace the Omni S-band antenna, officials said.

The mission team assessing the damage announced that Aug. 3 scheduled launch date has been rescheduled.

Additionally, a separate ground support equipment issue at Astrotech is still being assessed.

The satellite is set to blast off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

The TDRS-M satellite network connects ground controllers with the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope and other spacecraft.