Posted: Thu, Feb 23, 2006, 7:52 AM ET (1252 GMT)
The launch of two satellites on an Ariane 5, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has been rescheduled for Friday, the company announced late Wednesday. The launch was postponed because of a problem with "a support equipment component" that has since been replaced, according to a press release. According to Space News, a problem with a nitrogen gas heating system that keeps an equipment bay on the launch vehicle at a stable temperature was the original cause of the problem. Technicians also replaced a gyroscope on one of the rocket's strap-on boosters that has experienced difficulty turning on during pre-launch preparations on Tuesday. The Ariane 5, the first of five to six scheduled for launch in 2006, is carrying the Hot Bird 7A and Spainsat communications satellites.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Arianespace press release