spacetoday.net: Ariane launch delayed again

Posted: Sat, Jul 17, 2004, 10:13 AM ET (1413 GMT)
Ariane 5 prior to flight 160 launch (Arianespace)

For the third time in less than a week the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket was scrubbed, this time because of fueling problems. The Ariane 5 was scheduled to lift off Friday night from Kourou, French Guiana, but the launch was postponed after a problem was detected during the fueling of the launch vehicle. Arianespace officials said the problem was with ground equipment that put temperatures and pressures in the fueling system outside of expected levels. The launch has been rescheduled for 8:44 pm EDT Saturday (0044 GMT Sunday). A launch attempt Thursday was scrubbed because of weather, while the previous launch attempt Monday was postponed because of a problem with the launch vehicle. The Ariane 5 is carrying the Anik F2 communications satellite for Telesat Canada.