27 October 200 Ariane Status: Arianespace Flight 134: Launch Postponed 24 Hours

The launch of Arianespace Flight 134 has been postponed for 24 hours due to the remaining unfavorable weather conditions over the launch pad in Kourou,
French Guiana.

Flight 134 will place into orbit the Europe*Star 1 satellite for the new operator, Europe*Star UK Ltd.

The Ariane 44LP launcherís liftoff for Flight 134 is now scheduled in the morning of October 29, 2000 as soon as possible within the following launch window: 02:59 a.m. and 4:59 a.m., Kourou time.

The winds at 10,000-20,000 meters altitude above French Guiana exceeded the limits for range safety, forcing the one-day launch delay. At ground level, the conditions were good, with skies sunny or partially cloudy throughout the day.

Meteorologists had been keeping a close watch on the high altitude wind condition throughout Friday, and the prevailing conditions led to the launch scrub seven hours before the schedule liftoff. The decision was taken prior to withdrawal of the service gantry at ELA-2 and before the start of fueling for Ariane 4’s third stage.

Both the launcher and its Europe*Star satellite payload were put in a safe standby mode – making them ready for a new final countdown process beginning Saturday.

The new launch timing remains the same, with the ignition of the Ariane 4’s first stage engine and strap-ons set for Sunday morning at the opening of the 02:59 a.m.-04:59 a.m. launch window, local Kourou time.