. Military Space News .
Europe postpones launch of Herschel, Planck telescopes

by Staff Writers
Paris (AFP) March 13, 2009
The launch next month of two large European telescopes designed to probe the formation of galaxies and the "Big Bang" scientists say created the universe has been postponed by several weeks, it was announced here on Friday.

The Herschel and Planck telescopes were to have been taken aloft on April 16 in a dual launch from the European Space Agency's base in Kourou, French Guiana.

The launch has been postponed to carry out additional ground checks, ESA and and launch operator Arianespace said in separate press releases.

"The decision to postpone the launch by several weeks was needed to finalise the validation of the spacecraft operations procedures following recent software updates," ESA said.

A new launch date will be announced at the end of March.

Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
Space Telescope News and Technology at Skynightly.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Herschel Spruced Up After Arrival In Kourou
Paris, France (ESA) Mar 06, 2009
Following Herschel's arrival at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, the spacecraft has been unpacked and inspected. After an initial visual inspection, the telescope mirror, the largest ever to fly in space, was cleaned thoroughly to prepare it for launch.







  • China navy criticises dispatch of US destroyers: state media
  • Sarkozy to open first Gulf military base in Abu Dhabi: report
  • Indian envoy sees close ties with Obama
  • US, China try to defuse tension, focus on economy

  • SKorea warns North of UN action over rocket launch
  • NKorea's rocket launch aimed at developing ICBM: expert
  • Russia weighs Cuba, Venezuela bases for bombers: report
  • Presidential hopeful Mousavi lauds Iran's scientific gains

  • NKorea missile threat may be negotiating tactic: Lee
  • US to urge Russia not to sell missiles to Iran: Clinton
  • NKorean satellite launch would trigger UN sanctions: Aso
  • NKorea assembling rocket ahead of planned launch: report

  • Israel's Iron Dome Years Away From Offering ABM Defense Part 2
  • Israel's Iron Dome Years Away From Offering ABM Defense
  • Prithvi ABM hits target missile
  • Anti-Qassam Missile Defense Part One

  • Cathay Pacific lost 1.1 billion dollars in 2008
  • National hypersonic science centers named
  • First China-assembled Airbus set for June delivery: report
  • China's large passenger jet ready in eight years: report

  • Pakistan complains of 'alienation' from US drone strikes
  • USAF MQ-1 Predators Achieve 500,000 Flight Hours
  • Boeing Insitu ScanEagle UAS Completes Sea Trials With Singapore Navy
  • Pakistan wants to discuss US drone attacks

  • Iraq/Afghan War News: Iraq to get Abrams
  • Dogs of War: Blue on white
  • After Iraq, more US caution on preemptive attacks: Gates
  • Sadrist MP demands immediate US troop pullout

  • Russian air force withdraws 90 faulty MiGs: report
  • Why F-22 Is Vital Part One
  • BAE Receives First Direct Contract For Tensylon Armor Panels
  • CACI Awarded Contract To Support US Army FLIR Systems

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement