UPDATE: Launch of EGNOS Satellite Delayed until Monday

News courtesy of CANSPACE Listserv.

Roscosmos is conducting further tests on the launch vehicle for the SES-5 satellite, and have postponed the launch for two days. The new launch date is Monday, July 9, with an approximate launch time of 18:24 UTC.

The launch of SES-5 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, originally scheduled for June 18, was first rescheduled to July 7 due to a problem with a first stage subsystem on the Proton launch vehicle.

SES-5 is also known as Sirius 5 stemming from the development of the Sirius satellite constellation by Nordic Satellite AB, now ownded by Luxembourg's SES. The satellite carries a transponder for the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The transponder is intended to eventually replace or supplement one of those on the currently used EGNOS satellites (Inmarsat 3-F2 at 15.5 degrees west using PRN 120, Inmarsat-4-F2 at 25 degrees east using PRN 126, and Artemis at 21.5 degrees east using PRN124, and designated for industry tests).

Unlike the present L1-only EGNOS satellites, SES-5 will have transponders on both the L1 and E5 frequencies similar to the setup on the Wide Area Augmentation System satellites, which broadcast on L1 and L5.

SES-5 is to be stationed at 5 degrees east longtiude. A second SES satellite with EGNOS transponders is under construction. The SES Astra 5B satellite is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2013 and will be positioned at SES Astra's 31.5 degrees east orbital position.