* Astronomy

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

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.

Today's rescheduled launch of the Ariane 5 rocket has been postponed.
The reason for today's countdown halt has not been announced.

A new launch time will announced later.

T minus 3 hours 30 minutes

The filling of main cryogenic stage with liquid oxygen and hydrogen is progressing on schedule.