Herschel and Planck launch postponed


Launch complexes at Europe's Spaceport
 
Aerial view of various launch complexes at Europe's Spaceport
 
 
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
 
 
 •  Planck: looking back at the dawn of time (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Planck/index.html)
 •  Herschel: ESA's giant infrared observatory (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Herschel/index.html)

Related articles

 •  Herschel spruced up after arrival in Kourou (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRLICDNRF_index_0.html)
 •  Planck follows Herschel to launch site (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM52TWX3RF_index_0.html)
 •  Herschel shipped to Europe’s Spaceport (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMRV0WX3RF_index_0.html)
 •  Herschel and Planck ready to move to launch site (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMI0D05VQF_index_0.html)
 •  Herschel acoustic and vibration tests (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMQP9SHKHF_index_0.html)
 •  Herschel spacecraft assembly complete (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM0Z0QJCFF_index_0.html)
 •  Planck update in pictures (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM6PB6EJLF_index_0.html)
 •  Planning for Planck’s science (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMYLKXXV2F_index_0.html)

Read more

 •  L2, the second Lagrangian Point (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMO4QS1VED_index_0.html)
 •  Observations: Seeing in infrared wavelengths (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMS72T1VED_index_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/esaCP/SEMX9PZO4HD_FeatureWeek_0.html)
 •  Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMB3AR1VED_index_0.html)