Posted: Sat, Dec 27, 2003, 10:57 AM ET (1557 GMT)
The launch of the first of a pair of Sino-European space science satellites has been delayed two days because of a launch vehicle problem, ESA reported Friday. The launch of the first Double Star satellite, TC-1, was scheduled for December 27, but was delayed because of an unspecified problem with the spacecraft's Long March 2C/SM launch vehicle. ESA reports the launch has been rescheduled for Monday, December 29 at 2:06 pm EST (1906 GMT Monday, 3:06 am Tuesday Beijing time). The spacecraft, built by China and carrying eight European experiments, will be placed in a highly-elliptical orbit of 550 by 66,970 km, inclined 28.5 degrees to the equator. It will be joined in mid-2004 by Double Star TC-2, which will fly in an elliptical polar orbit. Combined, the two spacecraft will study the Sun's influence on the Earth's magnetic field.

Related Links:

•  ESA press release
•  Xinhua article