spacetoday.net: Zenit launch delayed indefinitely

Posted: Mon, Apr 26, 2004, 8:54 PM ET (0054 GMT)
The launch of a Russian military satellite on a Zenit 2 booster has been delayed indefinitely, Russian officials said Monday. The booster was scheduled to lift off from Baikonur early Monday but the launch was postponed for 12 hours because of unspecified technical problems with the rocket. The second launch attempt Monday was also postponed, and officials announced no new launch date. The AFP news agency reported that a "special committee" of space and military experts was scheduled to meet in Baikonur "to make a decision as to the fate of the rocket." The launch of the unidentified military satellite has been delayed several times by issues with the Ukrainian-built Zenit 2 booster, which is used only sparingly by the Russian military.