Evry, February 28, 2006. Following the postponement of the launch slated for Friday, February 24, 2006, Alcatel Alenia Space has performed a complete verification of the telemetry signal system of Eutelsat’s HOT BIRDTM 7A satellite. As a result the satellite was confirmed to be in perfect health and ready for launch.
Furthermore, on Saturday, February 25, the disconnection of a cryogenic purging umbilical line between the launch table mast and the launch vehicle led Arianespace to roll back the launch vehicle to the Final Assembly Building for the change of the faulty connector.
The launch is now scheduled during the night of Thursday, March 9, 2006, as soon as possible within the following launch window:
- From 7:06 p.m. to 8:13 p.m., local time in Kourou, French Guiana
- From 5:06 p.m. to 6:13 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
- From 22h06 to 23h13 GMT
- From 11:06 p.m. to 00:13 a.m. in Paris and Madrid.
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50 percent of the international market for satellites launched to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Created in 1980 as the world’s first commercial space transportation company, Arianespace has signed contracts for the launch of more than 260 satellite payloads. For further information, see the Arianespace Web site at www.arianespace.com.
Aaron Lewis
Director of Media and Government Relations
Arianespace, Inc.
601 13th St. NW 710 North
Washington D.C. 20005
+1 (202) 628-3936 (main)
+1 (202) 628-3949 (fax)
