The mission poster for this launch. Credit: ILS

Monday night's shot at launching a Lockheed Martin Atlas 3B rocket carrying the final in a series of U.S. Navy communications satellites was postponed after a device that helps release the booster from its launch pad was subjected to colder-than-allowable temperatures, officials said. Liftoff is tentatively rescheduled for Wednesday night.

Officials called the scrub at 9:23 p.m. EST as countdown clocks passed the T-minus 30 minute mark. The liftoff had been pushed back earlier in the evening due to a valve problem at Cape Canaveral's pad 36B.

It was shortly after the hold to fix the valve issue when launch team members reported that the Atlas first stage liquid oxygen fill and drain valve bolt-cutter's temperature had gone below the acceptable limit. Engineers reviewing the situation determined that the bolt-cutter had been subjected to temperatures colder than it was qualified to handle.

To ensure the bolt-cutter operates as designed for a successful liftoff, officials made the decision to postpone the launch. The device likely will be removed and replaced with a spare.

Here is how the scrub decision was announced:

Anomaly Resolution Team: "The Anomaly Team has researched the bolt-cutter anomaly...The temperatures that it had dropped to is below the qualification temperature. At this time, we are recommending we stand down for tonight's operation."

Launch conductor: "Roger, concur."

Launch conductor: "Launch director, LC."

Launch director: "Go ahead."

Launch conductor: "Recommend we scrub tonight's operation."

Launch director: "Copy and concur, and let's make sure we have a spare ready to go to replace the bolt-cutter."

A few hours after the scrub, it was announced that the mission would be reset for Wednesday night during a window of 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. EST.

The Navy's Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On F11 communications satellite, built by Boeing, will be deployed into geosynchronous transfer orbit by the Atlas 3B rocket. The spacecraft and rocket is valued at $193 million.

UHF F11 will be stationed over the Western Pacific to provide communications for U.S. military forces and government officials.

See our Mission Status Center page for live play-by-play updates.