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Aerial view of various launch complexes at Europe's Spaceport

Herschel and Planck launch postponed

13 March 2009
In order to carry out additional checks on the ground segment of the Herschel and Planck programmes, Arianespace and ESA have jointly agreed to postpone the launch initially planned for 16 April. A new launch date will be announced at the end of March.

The decision to postpone the launch by a couple of weeks was needed to finalise the validation of the spacecraft operations procedures following recent software updates.

In the meantime, the preparation of the two spacecraft for launch continues as planned at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

For more information

Monica Talevi, Science Information Manager
ESA Communication & Knowledge Department
Tel: +31 71 565 3223
Email: Monica.Talevi @ esa.int

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