Weather Postpones Ariane 5 Launch 24 Hours

WASHINGTON — Unfavorable weather conditions in French Guiana prompted Arianespace on Nov. 9 to postpone the launch of of a pair of telecommunications satellites for 24 hours.  Ariane 5 had been scheduled to lift off Nov. 9 between 4:05 p.m. and 5:51 p.m. EST carrying Eutelsat 21B and Star One C3.

Full statement from Arianespace below.

 High-altitude wind conditions delay Ariane 5's dual-passenger launch

November 9, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA210

Arianespace’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 launch with the EUTELSAT 21B and Star One C3 telecommunications satellites has been postponed 24 hours due to unfavorable weather conditions in French Guiana.

 High-altitude winds over the Spaceport’s launch site exceeded the limits that are part of safety conditions for every Ariane 5 mission, leading to the postponement decision.

 The Ariane 5 and its two satellite passengers are in a “safe” mode at the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone, ready for a resumption of the final countdown. 

 This flight’s launch window remains the same for tomorrow, opening at 6:05 p.m. local time in French Guiana and continuing to 7:51 p.m.