anilsk01
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RE: Measat-3B launch date postponed
Arianespace’s already delayed launch of Measat 3b and its co-passenger Optus-10 satellite have been further impacted by the decision to send Optus-10 back from French Guiana to its manufacturers in California for examination.
No fresh date has been given for the launch of Measat-3b. One option quoted is to bring forward the availability of an Argentinean satellite, Arsat-1, because it is a smaller craft and can fit into the lower section of the Ariane’s rocket cargo bay. But industry sources suggest that, at best, this could not be done much before September, and by then Optus-10 could be back in position.
However, the bottom line in all this is that this will impact launches already planned for this summer and autumn. Ariane is contracted to launch G-Sat-15, StarOne C4, the already mentioned Arsat-1, Intelsat-30 and the giant Thor-7 all this year.
Arianespace’s already delayed launch of Measat 3b and its co-passenger Optus-10 satellite have been further impacted by the decision to send Optus-10 back from French Guiana to its manufacturers in California for examination.
No fresh date has been given for the launch of Measat-3b. One option quoted is to bring forward the availability of an Argentinean satellite, Arsat-1, because it is a smaller craft and can fit into the lower section of the Ariane’s rocket cargo bay. But industry sources suggest that, at best, this could not be done much before September, and by then Optus-10 could be back in position.
However, the bottom line in all this is that this will impact launches already planned for this summer and autumn. Ariane is contracted to launch G-Sat-15, StarOne C4, the already mentioned Arsat-1, Intelsat-30 and the giant Thor-7 all this year.