Weather Conditions Delay the Ariane 5's Launch for 24 Hours

(May 3, 2007) -- Arianespace's dual-passenger Ariane 5 flight was postponed today due to weather conditions at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The mission has been rescheduled for tomorrow during the same 44-minute-long launch window.

Today's weather "red" was caused by high-altitude winds over French Guiana, which exceeded the established safety margins. Although it was raining during this evening's launch attempt, these wet conditions did not influence the postponement - as Ariane 5 is able to launch in the rain.

Both the Ariane 5 and its two satellite payloads - SES ASTRA's ASTRA 1L and Intelsat's Galaxy 17 - have been placed in a safe standby mode, ready for a resumption of the launch countdown tomorrow.

Source : Arianespace

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