Andrew Yee[_1_]
October 3rd 06, 12:06 AM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
2 October 2006
MetOp launch postponed
EUMETSAT has announced that on Saturday 30 September the upper composite
(comprising the MetOp spacecraft, the Fregat upper stage and the Soyuz
fairing) experienced a slight mechanical shock. It was then decided to
interrupt the launch campaign and return the upper composite to the clean
room for inspection.
A preliminary review has already indicated that there are no apparent
problems, however a full inspection of the spacecraft and the Fregat is
considered essential. The fairing will therefore be removed today to allow
for visual inspection.
A refined mechanical analysis as well as the assessment of possible impacts
of the incident on the flight hardware will be done. Results of these
analyses should be available on Tuesday evening, which would then also be
the decision point for the continuation of the launch campaign sequence.
If the conclusions are positive and given confirmation by Starsem on
Wednesday 4 October a new launch date could then be announced.
The incident causing the launch delay happened due to an incorrect manoeuvre
during the final positioning of the upper composite on the train for the
transport to the launch pad, resulting in the upper composite being dropped
by few centimetres.
For more information:
ESA media relations
Reinhold Zobl
Tel.: +31 71 565 4442
reinhold.zobl @ esa.int
EUMETSAT media relations
Livia Briese
Tel.: +49 6151 807 839
Fax:+49 6151 807 7321
press @ eumetsat.int
More about ...
* MetOp
http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPmetop.html
In depth
* Launch diary
http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMWACVHESE_index_0.html
* Soyuz launch vehicle
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMAM1X4QWD_0.html
* Baikonur
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMRSA1XDYD_0.html
Related links
* EUMETSAT
http://www.eumetsat.int
* EADS-Astrium
http://www.space.eads.net/
* Starsem
http://www.starsem.com
* NOAA
http://www.noaa.gov
* CNES
http://www.cnes.fr/html/_455_.php
IMAGE CAPTION:
[http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM0XLKKKSE_index_1.html]
The MetOp satellite and the Fregat upper-stage were successfully integrated
on 22 September 2006.
Credits: ESA - Kurt Bhler
http://www.esa.int
2 October 2006
MetOp launch postponed
EUMETSAT has announced that on Saturday 30 September the upper composite
(comprising the MetOp spacecraft, the Fregat upper stage and the Soyuz
fairing) experienced a slight mechanical shock. It was then decided to
interrupt the launch campaign and return the upper composite to the clean
room for inspection.
A preliminary review has already indicated that there are no apparent
problems, however a full inspection of the spacecraft and the Fregat is
considered essential. The fairing will therefore be removed today to allow
for visual inspection.
A refined mechanical analysis as well as the assessment of possible impacts
of the incident on the flight hardware will be done. Results of these
analyses should be available on Tuesday evening, which would then also be
the decision point for the continuation of the launch campaign sequence.
If the conclusions are positive and given confirmation by Starsem on
Wednesday 4 October a new launch date could then be announced.
The incident causing the launch delay happened due to an incorrect manoeuvre
during the final positioning of the upper composite on the train for the
transport to the launch pad, resulting in the upper composite being dropped
by few centimetres.
For more information:
ESA media relations
Reinhold Zobl
Tel.: +31 71 565 4442
reinhold.zobl @ esa.int
EUMETSAT media relations
Livia Briese
Tel.: +49 6151 807 839
Fax:+49 6151 807 7321
press @ eumetsat.int
More about ...
* MetOp
http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPmetop.html
In depth
* Launch diary
http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMWACVHESE_index_0.html
* Soyuz launch vehicle
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMAM1X4QWD_0.html
* Baikonur
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMRSA1XDYD_0.html
Related links
* EUMETSAT
http://www.eumetsat.int
* EADS-Astrium
http://www.space.eads.net/
* Starsem
http://www.starsem.com
* NOAA
http://www.noaa.gov
* CNES
http://www.cnes.fr/html/_455_.php
IMAGE CAPTION:
[http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM0XLKKKSE_index_1.html]
The MetOp satellite and the Fregat upper-stage were successfully integrated
on 22 September 2006.
Credits: ESA - Kurt Bhler