spacetoday.net: Soyuz launch from Kourou scrubbed

Soyuz launch from Kourou scrubbed

Posted: Thu, Oct 20, 2011, 8:32 AM ET (1232 GMT)
Soyuz at Kourou before 1st launch (Arianespace)

A problem discovered during fueling postponed early Thursday the launch of the first Soyuz rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, for at least 24 hours. Engineers discovered a leak during the fueling of the rocket's upper stage that has been traced to a faulty valve. That leak forced Arianespace to postpone the launch for at least 24 hours in order to replace the valve. The Soyuz rocket is carrying the first two In Orbit Validation satellite for Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system. The launch will be the first for the Soyuz rocket from the French Guiana spaceport.