Posted: Fri, Feb 19, 2010, 8:06 AM ET (1306 GMT)
A technical problem with its Dnepr rocket has delayed the launch of ESA's CryoSat-2 spacecraft, the agency announced Friday. The Dnepr rocket was scheduled to launch the spacecraft from Kazakhstan on February 25, but will be delayed for an unspecified period because of a problem with a steering engine on the rocket's second stage. ESA said in a release that while the spacecraft could still reach orbit, the fuel reserves would be lower than desired. No new launch date has been announced, although the delay is expected to be at least a week and a half, according to an Interfax report. The spacecraft is designed to measure changes in thickness in ice sheets in the polar regions. It is a replacement for the original CryoSat, lost in a Rockot launch failure in October 2005.

Related Links:

•  Interfax-Ukraine article
•  RIA Novosti article
•  ESA press release