MetOp launch postponed indefinitely
Posted: Thu, Jul 20, 2006, 9:26 AM ET (1326 GMT)
After three consecutive scrubs, the launch of Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite has been delayed until further notice, possibly as long as two months. The MetOp-A satellite was scheduled to launch on a Soyuz-2 booster from Baikonur on Monday, but launch attempts that day, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday, were scrubbed because of technical problems with the rocket. the scrubs do not appear to be related: Monday's postponement was caused by a glitch with a ground system, Tuesday's by unexpected telemetry readings from the rocket while being fueled, and Wednesday's because of an unspecified issue with a ground support system. European and Russian officials, though, have decided to return the satellite to an integration facility at the launch site while the problems with the rocket are worked out. No new launch date has been set, although Russian media reports speculated the launch would be postponed for at least two months. MetOp-A is Europe's first polar-orbit weather satellite, and will be used in conjunction with a similar series of US polar-orbit weather satellites.
After three consecutive scrubs, the launch of Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite has been delayed until further notice, possibly as long as two months. The MetOp-A satellite was scheduled to launch on a Soyuz-2 booster from Baikonur on Monday, but launch attempts that day, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday, were scrubbed because of technical problems with the rocket. the scrubs do not appear to be related: Monday's postponement was caused by a glitch with a ground system, Tuesday's by unexpected telemetry readings from the rocket while being fueled, and Wednesday's because of an unspecified issue with a ground support system. European and Russian officials, though, have decided to return the satellite to an integration facility at the launch site while the problems with the rocket are worked out. No new launch date has been set, although Russian media reports speculated the launch would be postponed for at least two months. MetOp-A is Europe's first polar-orbit weather satellite, and will be used in conjunction with a similar series of US polar-orbit weather satellites.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |