spacetoday.net: Arianespace delays iPSTAR launch

Posted: Thu, Jul 7, 2005, 8:34 AM ET (1234 GMT)
Ariane 5 prior to flight 160 launch (Arianespace)

Arianespace announced Wednesday that it has delayed the launch of the iPSTAR communications satellite for several days because of a problem with ground equipment at the launch site. Arianespace had planned to launch the satellite on an Ariane 5G booster on July 11, but said an unspecified anomaly with ground equipment used to support the launch will force them to delay the launch several days. A new launch date will be announced "shortly", according to a company statement. The launch will place into orbit iPSTAR (also known as Thaicom 4), a communications satellite operated by Thai company Shin Satellite designed primarily to provide broadband Internet services for customers in eastern Asia.