CryoSat launch delayed
Posted: Fri, Feb 19, 2010, 8:06 AM ET (1306 GMT)
A technical problem with its Dnepr rocket has delayed the launch of ESA's CryoSat-2 spacecraft, the agency announced Friday. The Dnepr rocket was scheduled to launch the spacecraft from Kazakhstan on February 25, but will be delayed for an unspecified period because of a problem with a steering engine on the rocket's second stage. ESA said in a release that while the spacecraft could still reach orbit, the fuel reserves would be lower than desired. No new launch date has been announced, although the delay is expected to be at least a week and a half, according to an Interfax report. The spacecraft is designed to measure changes in thickness in ice sheets in the polar regions. It is a replacement for the original CryoSat, lost in a Rockot launch failure in October 2005.
A technical problem with its Dnepr rocket has delayed the launch of ESA's CryoSat-2 spacecraft, the agency announced Friday. The Dnepr rocket was scheduled to launch the spacecraft from Kazakhstan on February 25, but will be delayed for an unspecified period because of a problem with a steering engine on the rocket's second stage. ESA said in a release that while the spacecraft could still reach orbit, the fuel reserves would be lower than desired. No new launch date has been announced, although the delay is expected to be at least a week and a half, according to an Interfax report. The spacecraft is designed to measure changes in thickness in ice sheets in the polar regions. It is a replacement for the original CryoSat, lost in a Rockot launch failure in October 2005.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 13
A new ‘Boost!’ for space transportation companies
ESA — 6:12 am ET (1012 GMT) Elon Musk Is Out to Rule Space. Can Anyone Stop Him?
Wired — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) AST SpaceMobile ‘Optimistic’ About New Glenn Pad Return
Aviation Week — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure
ViaSatellite — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) ULA to prep future Vulcan launch for Amazon despite rocket investigation
Orlando Sentinel — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) |
