Posted: Tue, Mar 18, 2003, 10:36 AM ET (1536 GMT)
A problem with a component on ESA's Mars Express spacecraft will delay its launch from late May until early June, New Scientist reported Tuesday. The magazine reported that an unnamed component on the spacecraft was found to be faulty and needs to be replace, a process that will delay the launch about 10 days. The launch, which has been scheduled for May 23, has now been delayed until no sooner than June 6. The launch window for Mars Express, which will be launched on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan, runs through June 23. The delay is actually beneficial because the new launch date puts Mars in a slightly more favorable position that the previous launch date, allowing the booster to carry a slightly heavier load. Engineers plan to load additional propellant on the spacecraft to take advantage of this. Mars Express is ESA's first Mars orbiter, and is also carrying the British-built Beagle 2 lander.

Related Links:

•  New Scientist article