Posted: Fri, Oct 6, 2006, 7:31 AM ET (1131 GMT)
The European Space Agency announced Thursday that it has rescheduled the launch of a weather satellite after completing an inspection triggered by a handling incident. The launch of the MetOp-A on a Soyuz rocket is now scheduled for October 17 from Baikonur. The launch had been planned for this Saturday but was delayed when the spacecraft, encapsulated within its payload fairing along with its upper stage, suffered "a slight mechanical shock" while being prepared for launch last weekend. The launch was delayed so that the spacecraft and upper stage could be inspected for any damage. MetOp-A is Europe's first polar-orbit weather satellite, and will be used in conjunction with a similar series of US polar-orbit weather satellites.

Related Links:

•  BBC article
•  AFP article
•  ESA press release