Posted: Fri, Dec 3, 2004, 1:55 PM ET (1855 GMT)
The launch of a French reconnaissance satellite next week on an Ariane 5 has been delayed several days, Arianespace reported this week. The Ariane 5G was scheduled to launch on December 10 to place the Helios 2A and six other satellites into orbit. However, Arianespace reported Thursday that an anomaly was detected in ground tests involving unspecified equipment similar to what is used on the booster. As a result, the launch will be delayed several days to replace the component; no new launch date has been announced. The launch will be on the third and final Ariane 5 flight of the year,all involving the original generic version of the vehicle. An upgraded version, the Ariane 5 ECA, is scheduled to launch in early 2005 on its first mission since its inaugural launch failed two years ago.

Related Links:

•  Arianespace mission update