Florida Today by Emre Kelly 3/25/2020
The upcoming launch of a military communications satellite from Cape Canaveral is still on as Space Force teams contend with challenges presented by the coronavirus.
"We've prepared to continue mission-essential operations up at the Cape for launch operations," 45th Space Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess said Tuesday, noting that United Launch Alliance's Atlas V is still scheduled for a 2:57 p.m. Thursday liftoff from Launch Complex 41.
Weather for the two-hour launch window is expected at 80% "go."
Schiess said Space Force-connected civilians and military personnel have been encouraged to telework as much as possible to avoid exposure to the virus, which has not yet led to any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Patrick Air Force Base or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. He said he was confident in the number of testing kits available and confirmed that several people have already been tested based on their symptoms, but all have come back negative.
"We haven't cut back any mission," he said. "We've done teleworking to the maximum capability. So with our civilians who have the ability to do teleworking, we've encouraged them to do that. Same with our military."
More:
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2020/03/25/atlas-v-rocket-preps-launch-space-force-ready-coronavirus-florida/2896611001/