Ariane 5’s payload fairing is lowered over THOR 7. The details this satellite’s installation atop the SYLDA dispenser system. Photo: Arianespace

[Via Satellite 04-14-2015] Arianespace has announced that, during the preparations for the roll-out of the Ariane 5 launcher for flight VA222, an anomaly occurred on a fluid connector between the cryogenic upper stage and the launch table. As a result, Arianespace has decided to postpone the launch initially scheduled for April 15, in order to replace this part and perform the subsequent verifications. The launch vehicle and its Thor 7 and Sicral 2 satellite payloads are maintained in fully safe conditions and in stand-by mode, according to Arianespace.

Space Systems/Loral (SSL) built the Thor 7 spacecraft for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. The satellite will serve the maritime sector offering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Also incorporated in this relay platform is a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.

Sicral 2 is a military telecommunications satellite developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French armament agency Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy, while Telespazio is responsible for the launch service. After its deployment by Ariane 5, the spacecraft will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations.