ESA: the launch of a rocket “Soyuz-ST” from the cosmodrome in French Guiana delayed due to a problem – TASS

PARIS, 25 April. / Corr. Ivan Batyrev TASS /. The launch of a Russian carrier rocket “Soyuz-ST” from the cosmodrome in French Guiana again postponed a day – this time due to technical problems. On Sunday evening, said the European Space Agency (ESA)

“Because of the problems detected before starting the” Union “with the satellite Sentinel-1B, the countdown was stopped”, – reported the press service ESA.

the problem was caused by a malfunction of one of Russia’s missile systems, in turn, noted Stefan Israel, CEO of Arianespace, serving launches from the Guiana space Centre (MOC). “There was a problem with the inertial measurement unit” Union “Today, the countdown stopped Work for confirmation start tomorrow..” – Wrote Yisrael on his page on Twitter

Initially, the launch was scheduled for April 12. later it was postponed for April 22. Since then, however, the start was twice postponed a day because of adverse weather conditions in the vicinity of the spaceport EGC. At the moment, the date and time of re-start attempts has not yet officially named.

On the orbit of “Soyuz-ST” must withdraw the Sentinel-1B unit for the ESA. It will be the second satellite environmental monitoring program Copernicus, implemented by ESA. The task of the device – to provide data for operational ocean monitoring, including information on the extent of oil spills, marine glaciers, as well as to monitor sea traffic areas. In orbit, he will join the previously launched “doubles.” – Machine Sentinel-1A

Previous Series machine Sentinel-3A was launched on February 16, 2016 by a rocket “Rokot”, which was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. In September of this year on a rocket “Rokot” in space travel has one satellite -. Sentinel-2B

In total, under this project, ESA has planned seven missions, during each of which the orbit will be withdrawn certain scientific and Research instruments. In particular, the Sentinel-1 – radar, Sentinel-2 – opto-electronic devices, Sentinel-3 – instruments for ocean monitoring, Sentinel-4 – Tools for monitoring the atmosphere. It is planned that these seven missions will cover the whole range of scientific observations of the Earth.

In addition to the Sentinel-1B “Soyuz-ST” as a passing loads will orbit microsatellite, the Microscope, developed by the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and intended for experimental verification of Einstein’s equivalence principle. Also take a rocket into space three ultra-small device developed by students from Belgium, Daniii and Italy within the European educational program Fly your satellite!.