The launch had initially been scheduled for August 28 but was ordered postponed last week until September 3 to let engineers make final checks on INSAT-3E, a satellite to be launched for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

An official at Arianespace said ISRO had now requested additional time to carry out these checks.

"A new launch date will be provided later," Arianespace said in a statement.

The Ariane 5 rocket will also carry a Eutelsat telecommunications satellite, e-BIRD, and a lunar probe, SMART-1, for the European Space Agency (ESA).

Arianespace markets ESA's Ariane rocket, which is launched from a base in Kourou, French Guiana.

SPACE.WIRE