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Arianespace delays BRI’s satellite launch, again
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Arianespace technicians check on a rocket carrying Bank Rakyat Indonesia's satellite BRIsat, as problems once again disrupted the launch schedule. (Courtesy of BRI/-)
T
he launch of the world’s first bank-owned satellite, BRIsat, has been delayed again for at least one day because of a connection problem on the upper portion of the launcher, says French rocket design firm Arianespace.
It is the second delay for Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) after a previous eight-day delay from May 8 to May 16 because of a fluid connector problem in the Arian 5 rocket. Arianespace said it would take 24 hours to solve the connection problem.
"The launcher, with its EchoStar XVII and BRIsat satellite payloads, remains in a safe standby condition." Arianespace CEO Stephaen Israel said on Thursday in the official press release.
Along with the rescheduled date, there has been a change in the launch time in French Guiana to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, local time, or 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jakarta time.
"I don't have many comments besides: safety first," said the president director of Indonesia’s most profitable lender, Asmawi Syam.
State-owned insurance company Jasindo will provide insurance for the satellite, which has a normal lifespan of 10 years but can be extended to 17 years. (ags)
