spacetoday.net: First Land Launch mission postponed

Posted: Thu, Apr 24, 2008, 6:20 AM ET (1020 GMT)
Zenit-3SLB prior to Amos 3 launch (RSC Energia)

The first launch of a modified Zenit 3 rocket from Baikonur has been postponed 24 hours because of a problem at the launch complex. A Zenit-3SLB was scheduled to lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1 am EDT (0500 GMT) Thursday but the launch was postponed when the transporter-erector failed to move away from the launch vehicle as planned. The launch has been rescheduled for the same time on Friday. The rocket is carrying the Amos 3 communications satellite for Israeli satellite operator Spacecom. The launch will be the first for Land Launch, a joint venture between Sea Launch Company and Russian firm Space International Services. Land Launch used a modified version of Sea Launch's Zenit-3SL launched from Baikonur and is designed to serve the market for smaller GEO satellites.