WASHINGTON---The next mission of the Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher has been postponed due to the unavailability of the Astra 2B satellite -- one of the two payloads planned for this mission.
Originally scheduled for May 23, Flight 130 was slated to have lofted Astra 2B for the Societe Europeenne de Satellites (SES) and the GE-7 satellite for U.S. operator GE Americom.
The lift-off of Arianespace's next mission, Flight 129, is on schedule for April 18. This launch will carry the Galaxy IVR satellite for PanAmSat Corporation of the U.S., and will use an Ariane 4 equipped with two liquid- propellant strap-on boosters.
Arianespace is now planning Flight 130 for July, with the choice of launch vehicle to be based on the availability of customer satellite payloads. Arianespace is working with its clients to revise the launch manifest over the near- and medium term, with mission timing and choice of launcher versions depending on the delivery of its customer satellites in French Guiana.
