The next Global Positioning System satellite could roar into space next weekend, officials said today, after technical problems with Boeing's Delta 2 rocket are resolved.

File image of a Delta 2 rocket at pad 17B. Photo: Spaceflight Now

The launch was scheduled for the predawn hours Monday from pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. But concerns with systems used on the Delta 2 forced a postponement.

"The Delta 2 GPS 2R-13 launch has been delayed due to late-breaking testing anomalies on flight critical components," Col. Nancy Insprucker, deputy director of the Space and Missile Systems Center Launch Programs Office, told Spaceflight Now.

Although the troubles did not occur on the actual rocket being launched, the concerns required engineers to sort out the glitches and replace some equipment before allowing this Delta 2 to fly.

"The first item was a leak found during factory testing on an explosive line igniter for the third stage spin stabilization motors," Insprucker said.

As a precaution, that hardware aboard the Delta rocket is being changed out at pad 17B with components that have recently been leak-checked.

"Similarly, there was a test anomaly on part of the flight control system on another Delta 2 booster. The Delta 2 team has been working diligently to ensure there is no crossover effect on the (GPS) 2R-13 vehicle," Insprucker said.

"The team has been meeting throughout the week to formulate a go-forward plan. No additional delays are currently anticipated due to this concern."

Liftoff is currently targeted for Saturday, October 30. The day's 28-minute launch window extends from 2:08 to 2:36 a.m. EDT (0608-0636 GMT).

"As a result of our hardware change-out actions and already-scheduled range operations, our next launch opportunity is currently October 30," Insprucker said.

The GPS launch delay has caused a ripple in the Cape schedule by postponing liftoff of NASA's gamma-ray burst detection satellite Swift atop a Delta 2 from pad 17A. Officials want to avoid delivering Swift to the launch complex until after the GPS liftoff occurs from the nearby pad 17B. The reason: guarding against the highly unlikely event of a GPS launch accident that could damage Swift.

NASA is hoping to launch Swift on November 11 -- three days later than planned -- during a 60-minute window opening at 12:05 p.m. EST (1705 GMT). That date assumes GPS flies on October 30.

GPS 2R-13 will be boosted into the U.S. military's space-based navigation network's Plane D, Slot 1 position where it will replace the aging GPS 2A-11 satellite launched in 1991. The GPS constellation features 24 primary satellites and several spares to provide precision location and timing information to troops, aircraft, ships and tanks around the globe.