Herschel and Planck launch postponed   Ariane 5     20 April 2009   Due to an anomaly discovered during tests on a subassembly identical to the one on the Ariane 5 launcher, Arianespace has decided to carry out additional checks, which will take several days.   A new launch date will be announced shortly. The two satellites are in perfect condition at the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.      •  Herschel: ESA's giant infrared observatory (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/index.html)  •  Planck: looking back at the dawn of time (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Planck/index.html) Related articles  •  Herschel instruments are 'good to go' (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMWKVEH1TF_0.html)  •  Planck gears up for the ride (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMOOVEH1TF_index_0.html)  •  Herschel and Planck to lift off on 6 May (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMU8LEH1TF_0.html)  •  Herschel and Planck launch update (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEM6Q4EH1TF_0.html)  •  Herschel spruced up after arrival in Kourou (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMRLICDNRF_0.html)  •  Herschel and Planck launch postponed (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMJXQITYRF_0.html)  •  Planck launch campaign update (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMZCNITYRF_index_0.html)  •  Planck follows Herschel to launch site (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEM52TWX3RF_0.html)  •  Herschel shipped to Europe’s Spaceport (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMRV0WX3RF_0.html) Read more  •  L2, the second Lagrangian Point (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMO4QS1VED_0.html)  •  Observations: Seeing in infrared wavelengths (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMS72T1VED_0.html)  •  Observations: Seeing in microwave wavelengths (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM4B2T1VED_index_0.html)  •  Why infrared astronomy is a hot topic (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMX9PZO4HD_0.html)  •  Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/SEMB3AR1VED_0.html) In depth  •  Herschel launch campaign journal (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31528 &m=372 &t=625,491,490 &MISSION_OPERAND=Match Any (OR) &TOPIC_OPERAND=Match Any (OR) &farchive_objecttypeid=31 &farchive_objectid=30928)  •  Planck launch campaign journal (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31530 &m=94 &t=625,491,490 &MISSION_OPERAND=Match Any (OR) &TOPIC_OPERAND=Match Any (OR) &farchive_objecttypeid=31 &farchive_objectid=30928)  •  Herschel in depth (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=16)  •  Planck in depth (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=17)