SPACE WIRE
Launch of Ariane-5 with Canadian satellite postponed again
PARIS (AFP) Jul 16, 2004
 The launch of an Ariane-5 rocket carrying the world's largest telecommunications satellite, pushed back due to a technical problem, was postponed for a second time Thursday by 24 hours, Arianespace said.

An "anomaly" that appeared in the rocket during final checks prior to take-off on Monday had already forced the European Space Agency to postpone the launch of the Ariane-5, which will carry the nearly six-tonne Anik-2F satellite.

Weather conditions over the launch site at Kourou, French Guiana, were to blame for Thursday's cancellation, Arianespace said at its headquarters at Evry near Paris. A fresh attempt was scheduled for 0044 GMT Saturday.

Built by Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) in El Segundo, California, Anik-2F is to provide telecommunications services across North America for 15 years for the Canadian operator Telesat.

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