[Satellite TODAY 05-17-10] Arianespace will launch SES’ Astra 3B broadcasting satellite and the German military’s ComsatBw 2 communications platform May 21 after problems with the Ariane 5 rocket’s helium pressurization system pushed the launch back nearly two months, Arianespace announced May 14.
    The Ariane 5 rocket, originally scheduled to launch in March, was postponed three times. Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said technicians have fixed the problem after conducting a month-long review as well as parallel inquiries into the technical cause of the helium subsystem glitches and an overall audit of the Ariane 5’s quality control procedures, which the company will release in June.
    “This is the first time we have done this without a launch failure because we had some trouble with parts, and this is why we needed to perform this quality control,” Le Gall said in a statement.
    Despite the delay, Arianespace still expects to launch seven Ariane 5 rockets this year, including Koresat 6 in June and the second Automated Transfer Vehicle for the International Space Station at the end of the year.
    Separately, Avanti Communications announced that Arianespace has informed the company that its Soyuz rocket may not be ready in time for the scheduled launch of Hylas 1 in September.
The satellite, which aims to provide broadband Internet access to European consumers, may be pushed back several weeks, according to Arianespace. The launch provider also proposed the option of moving the launch from Soyuz to an Ariane 5.
    “Arianespace further confirmed that, in accordance with the launch service agreement, it is ready to launch Hylas 1 using an Ariane 5 vehicle, if necessary, which will ensure the launch will take place by end of September 2010 in accordance with the Hylas 1 delivery schedule. Insurance underwriters rate the Ariane 5 at the same low-risk level. Therefore, the potential for Soyuz slippage does not have an impact on Hylas 1 launch schedule and no decision is required yet as to the selection of the launch vehicle,” Avanti said in a statement.

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