Posted: Wed, Feb 9, 2005, 1:28 PM ET (1828 GMT)
The return to flight of the enhanced version of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle has been delayed 24 hours because of a technical problem. The launch of the Ariane 5 ECA was scheduled for Friday, but has been delayed until Saturday because of an unspecified problem with ground equipment. The launch has been rescheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, February 12. The launch will be the first for the ECA variant, which can place up to 10 tons into geostationary transfer orbit, since the failure of its inaugural launch in December 2002. This Ariane 5 is carrying a communications satellite, XTAR-EUR, as well as two test satellites, Maqsat-B2 and Sloshsat.

Related Links:

•  AFP article
•  Arianespace press release