The launch of the Telesat Anik F2 satellite has been postponed, apparently due to an anomalous data check. Arianespace has not yet announced a new launch date. The satellite was to provide Broadband connectivity to much of the North American continent, including distance learning and e-health services.

It was due to take off from French Guiana this morning on the Ariane 5 rocket launcher. A statement (http://www.arianespace.com/site/news/news_sub_missionupdate_index.html) on Arianespace's website says that the anomaly was detected during the final stages of the countdown operation. The launcher will now be moved back into its Final Assembly Building for repairs.

Ariane 5 has been dogged by reliability questions ever since a launch in late 2002 resulted in the rocket self-destructing four minutes into the flight.

The rocket successfully lifted the ESA's Rosetta mission into space earlier this year, but only after a series (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/27/rosetta_still_earthbound/) of aborted launches. The Rosetta mission will arrive at its target - Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko - in 2014. ®

Update

Following completion of repairs, the rocket is now scheduled to take off in a launch window from 00:43 to 01:29GMT on Friday, July 16

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Huge comms satellite ready for lift-off (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/12/ariane_5_space_broadband/)
Rosetta space-bound at third attempt (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/02/rosetta_spacebound_at_third_attempt/)
Comet chasers seek secret of life (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/20/comet_chasers_seek_secret/)