Launch of Ariane-5 with Canadian satellite postponed for 3rd time

PARIS (AFP) Jul 17, 2004
The launch of an Ariane-5 rocket carrying the world's largest telecommunications satellite, pushed back due to technical problems, was postponed for a third time Friday by 24 hours, Arianespace said.

An "anomaly" appeared in the rocket during final checks prior to take-off forcing the European Space Agency to postpone the launch of the Ariane-5, which will carry the nearly six-tonne Anik-2F satellite, Arianespace said at its headquarters at Evry near Paris.

A fresh attempt was scheduled for 0044 GMT Sunday.

The launch was initially scheduled for Monday but was put off for three days due to a technical problem, and then weather conditions over the launch site at Kourou, French Guiana, were to blame for Thursday's cancellation.

Built by Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) in El Segundo, California, Anik-2F is to provide telecommunications services across North America for 15 years for the Canadian operator Telesat.

SPACE.WIRE