The Arianespace's Ariane 5 ECA has been moved to the launch zone. The lift-off with its SPAINSAT and HOT BIRD 7A dual-satellite payload is still scheduled for 22:06 to 23:13 UTC, 9th March.
The launch of SPAINSAT – HOT BIRD 7A has been postponed to Thursday, March 9, 2006
Following the postponement of the launch slated for Friday, February 24, 2006, Alcatel Alenia Space has performed a complete verification of the telemetry signal system of Eutelsat's HOT BIRD 7A satellite. As a result the satellite was confirmed to be in perfect health and ready for launch. On Saturday, February 25, the disconnection of a cryogenic purging umbilical line between the launch table mast and the launch vehicle led Arianespace to roll back the launch vehicle to the Final Assembly Building for the change of the faulty connector.
The launch is now scheduled during the night of Thursday, March 9, 2006, within the following launch window:
From 7:06 p.m. to 8:13 p.m., local time in Kourou, French Guiana From 5:06 p.m. to 6:13 p.m. in Washington, D.C. From 22:06 to 23:13 GMT From 11:06 p.m. to 00:13 a.m. in Paris and Madrid
Alcatel Alenia Space has satisfactorily completed a full verification of the telemetry signal system with Eutelsat’s HOT BIRDTM 7A satellite. The satellite was confirmed as a consequence to be in perfect health and ready for launch.
Arianespace has resumed launch operations, including a series of on-ground verifications, and will announce a new target launch date at the beginning of this week.
PRESS RELEASE The launch of Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD 7A satellite, which was planned for February 24, 2006, has been postponed. At the request of Alcatel Alenia Space, a verification of the telemetry circuit is ongoing.
Arianespace has therefore decided to postpone the launch with the HOT BIRD 7A and SPAINSAT payloads. A new launch date will be determined in the next few hours.