The launch of Astra 2E, slated for September 15, has been delayed again after Khrunichev engineers at the launch site received an out of tolerance reading in the first stage of the ILS Proton launch vehicle.
The satellite that will serve the UK market from 28.2 degrees East had already been delayed after the previous launch, a Proton M/Block DM mission with three GLONASS navigational satellites for the Russian Federal Government failed on launch on July 2, 2013.
Engineers have decided that the launch vehicle be returned to the processing hall for additional testing. The vehicle and satellite remain in a safe configuration at the launch site.
A new launch date will be determined later.
