[Satellite Today 08-13-08] An overhead crane operated by Measat‘s launch service provider accidentally damaged the Measat 3a satellite while at the Baikonur, Kazakhstan launch site, Orbital Sciences announced.
    The company said that a team of Measat and Orbital engineers are assessing the extent of the damage to determine the next course of action, which may result in the satellite being returned to Orbital’s satellite manufacturing facility for repair and retesting. Measat and Orbital said that they expect that the damage assessment will take several weeks.
    Measat revealed the delay Aug. 11 but did not divulge the reason. The satellite will be placed in orbit by a Land Launch vehicle launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome.