The May 17 launch of a McDonnell Douglas Delta II launch vehicle carrying the Thor II communications satellite for Hughes Space and Communications International has been rescheduled for May 18. Delays in pre-launch activities due to weather and technical issues with the ground support equipment, which have been resolved, caused the rescheduling.

The three-stage Delta II will lift off from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla. There will be two potential launch windows of 44 minutes and 51 minutes, respectively, during a 186-minute time period beginning at 6:39 p.m. and ending at 9:45 p.m. EDT. The first launch window opens at 6:39 p.m. and closes at 7:23 p.m. and the second launch window opens at 8:54 p.m. and closes at 9:45 p.m.