Problems with engine-lining material prompted National Aeronautics and Space Administration managers to postpone the launch of the space infrared telescope facility (SIRTF) satellite aboard a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket until no earlier than mid-August. The delay will allow engineers enough time to replace one of the nine solid rocket motors attached to the Delta II rocket, which had multiple delaminations within the layers of material that comprise the engine-nozzle exit-cone liner, NASA explained.

“There simply is not enough time to remove and replace the rocket motor to support a SIRTF launch in advance of the Mars exploration rover-B launch window,” said Karen Poniatowski, NASA’s assistant associate administrator for launch services.

The launch dates of the Mars exploration rovers (MER A and B), also on Delta II rockets, are June 6 and June 25, respectively. The MER-A mission, originally scheduled for May 30, was rescheduled to June 6 due to a potential problem with cabling on the spacecraft. The galaxy evolution explorer mission is on schedule for launch on a Pegasus rocket on April 28.