ASTRA 3B will fly 21 May

Another attempt to launch ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 carrier rocket Ariane 5 ECA will be conducted 21 May 2010 year. The information reported by Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of French company Arianespace, in an interview with the newspaper La Figaro. Home Ariane 5 ECA, originally scheduled for March 24 this year. years, was already three times Sandwiched due to technical problems. Further attempts to launch dates were 26 March and 10 April.

10 April for the final countdown clock stopped twice. First bug found about nine minutes, stopping at the 7 minute countdown and then at 42 seconds just before the start. After several minutes, finally told postpone the start of the next Ariane 5 ECA. Arianespace announced the discovery of problems in the missile subsystem, responsible for maintaining the appropriate pressure. Then took a team of experts exploring the specific problem source. After an exchange of parts, as it turned out later, the factory defect, the rocket is ready for take-off, which will take place 21 May 2010 year.

Jean-Yves Le Gall said that the delay in the start of Ariane 5 ECA should have no impact on reducing the number of missions planned for this year. Arianespace will do everything in his power to perform seven missions in 2010. Le Gall added that the Soyuz rocket from Kourou in French Guiana is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.