Kourou (French Guiana), September 20th, 2010
SES S.A. announces that the launch of its new SES-2 satellite has been postponed due to a strike at the Kourou space centre in French Guiana.
The Trade Union of French Guiana Workers (UTG) initiated a strike within the TELESPAZIO company making unavailable certain means of measurement in the Space Center which are absolutely necessary for an Ariane launch. Consequently, Arianespace and CNES have decided to adjourn the launch.
SES-2 was scheduled for launch today on board an Ariane 5 rocket. The new SES-2 satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation and is intended to replace SESs AMC-3 spacecraft at the orbital location of 87 degrees West.
The launch vehicle and its payload, the SES-2 and Arabsat 5C satellites, have been placed in stand-by mode and maintained in fully safe conditions.
A new launch date will be announced as soon as possible.
