BAIKONUR. Sept 26 (Interfax) - The launch of a Proton-M rocket has been moved from September 30 to the middle of October because of problems in the interaction between the rocket's systems and foreign satellites on board, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"We scheduled the launch to take place on September 30. However, checks conducted in the assembly-and-testing center revealed a problem with the control system. We have solved the problem, and are ready for launch. We plan it for October 18, but think we can do it earlier," Rogozin said.
"The problem existed [in the interaction] between the interface of the Russian control system and electronic systems of the satellites," he said.
Roscosmos said on Wednesday that the launch of a Proton-M rocket and the Eutelsat satellite had been delayed indefinitely. The rocket was due to put Eutelsat 5 West B and MEV-1 satellites into orbit. Eutelsat 5 West B will replace Eutelsat 5 West A in orbit and provide telecom services in France, Italy, and Algeria.
MEV-1 (Mission Extension Vehicle) is the first of its kind. It may dock with Intelsat 901 satellites and provide services which will extend their operation in orbit.