A routine inspection has concluded that additional measures are required to ensure the maximum readiness of the third Automated Transfer Vehicle for launch. It has therefore been decided to postpone the launch previously scheduled for 9 March.

The launch of ESA’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-3) is targeted at 23 March, with a liftoff scheduled for 4:31 UT (5:31 CET). It is part of the internationally coordinated servicing effort to support the International Space Station.

More information on ATV is available at http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/index.html