[Satellite Today – 4-24-08] The launch of Spacecom’s Amos-3 satellite aboard a Land Launch rocket has been delayed, the operator announced April 24.
    The satellite had been scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome site on a Zenit-3SLB rocket. Spacecom said that according to reports it received, the supporting arm of the launcher did not reach nominal separation distance from the launch, thus requiring a delay and further inspections.
    Amos-3, designed and constructed by Israel Aerospace Industries MBT Space Division, will be deployed at 4° West, joining Amos-1 and Amos-2 satellites before eventually replacing Amos-1. Amos-3 will offer additional capacity, coverage areas and advanced capabilities such as a pair of wideband Ka-band beams and 12 Ku-band transponders with steerable beams.