French engineers are continuing to flight qualify a new filter for the cryogenic first stage for possible use on the Ariane 502 mission. The test program will lead to final qualification of the system for use in flight on Oct. 17th. Officials will decide after that date if they will fly with the new system on board the rocket, the second Ariane 5 flight vehicle and the next launch following the summer 1996 midair explosion of the inaugural Ariane 5 rocket.

The 1996 launch failure was caused by improper flight software being loaded into the launcher's autopilot. The changes to the autopilot and guidance software are among the chief modifications made to the new vehicle to return it to flight status. The simulations are currently being run at the rocket builder Aerospatiale's Les Mureaux facility in France. A copy of the re-launch status report was provided SpaceCast by Arianespace officials in Washington.

One additional modification, a new upper skirt for the cryogenic stage, was under verification tests for launch loads at a test range near Casa, in Madrid Spain as SpaceCast went to press. French officials said the test results should be available for review this Friday, clearing the way for the resolution of all last minute vehicle preparations.

Under the current plan, the European Space Agency should be able to start the final countdown on Oct. 13th, which would lead to launch from Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana Oct. 28th.