First satellite launch delayed— again
01-APR-2008 Intellasia | Sai Gon Giai Phong | Thanh Nien
Apr 1, 2008 - 7:06:00 AM
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The launch of Vietnam's first satellite has been delayed until April 19 to ensure technical safety, a local newspaper has quoted the project management board as saying.
The dispatch of another satellite, scheduled for launch before Vinasat-1, has also been postponed.
The two satellites will be blasted into orbit by French-owned Arianespace Co in French Guiana in South America.
The US$180 million satellite was originally due to be launched at 132 degrees east on March 29 but the launch was pushed back until April 2, then to April 10 and then to April 12.
According to Saigon Giai Phong, this may be the last delay as the officials of Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the satellite's investor, plan to visit French Guiana between April 10 and 14.
The board manager Hoang Minh Thong says the postponement will not affect the project's progress.
After being launched, Vinasat-1 will be checked for about 30 to 40 days before commencing operations in late May.
Manufactured by the US aerospace company Lockheed Martin Commercial, Vinasat-1 is expected to cover Vietnam, Laos, East Asian nations, India and Australia and has a projected lifespan of 15 years.
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