PROTON LAUNCH OF INMARSAT-4 F3 SATELLITE DELAYED

Monday, 04-Aug-08

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, August 4, 2008 – The launch of a Proton M / Breeze M vehicle, with the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite, has been delayed to allow time to replace and retest a launcher electrical component.

A fault was discovered during testing of the rocket stage, following attachment of the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite to the launch vehicle. This occurrence is being announced simultaneously by Khrunichev State Research and Production Centre - the launch vehicle builder, International Launch Services and by Inmarsat. The companies anticipate that the delay will be a matter of days and will provide a further update as soon as possible.

Comments Eugene Jilg, Chief Technology Officer, Inmarsat plc:

“This is the kind of incident that these final, thorough tests are intended to disclose; the system has worked. Inmarsat is working with ILS and Khrunichev to understand fully the cause, corrective action, and retest programme. We will take whatever time is necessary to ensure this matter does not inhibit a successful launch. That said, we do not currently expect a

Back to All News