Launch of Proton-M coupled with U.S. satellite delayed for one day for technical reasons - Roscosmos
MOSCOW. June 8 (Interfax) - The launch of a Proton-M rocket coupled with the Intelsat DLA-2 satellite has been delayed for one day for technical reasons, Roscosmos said.
"The launch of a Proton-M rocket carrying the U.S. Intelsat DLA-2 satellite has been moved to the reserve date - 09.06.2016 - for technical reasons. The launch is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. Moscow time," the corporation said in a report seen by Interfax.
A source from the rocket and space industry told Interfax on Wednesday that the mission of the Proton-M rocket carrying the Intelsat DLA-2 satellite from Baikonur had been delayed, presumably, because of problems with ground electrical equipment.
'Presumably, there have been problems with electrical equipment of the 24th launch pad. The launch has had to be postponed because of that. The problem was timely detected and the defective equipment was replaced. Serviceability of all cables and plugs was ensured," he said.
The launch vehicle and the satellite are not damaged; their configuration is safe, he said.
The mission has been moved back several times. It was originally scheduled for late 2015, then for April 2016, after that for May 17 and May 28. Finally, the mission was rescheduled for May 31 and early June. The latest postponements resulted from claims against the Briz-M booster unit's control system.
The IntelsatDLA-2 satellite was built by the U.S. company, Space Systems Loral, on orders from the U.S. satellite communication operator, Intelsat S.A. The satellite weighs 6,320 kilograms, and carries ten C transponders and 72 Ku transponders.
The satellite will be put into a geostationary orbit at 95 degrees West, and will provide direct television broadcasting services to Latin America for 15 years.
