SumbandilaSat launch delayed again

The launch of SumbandilaSat has been delayed again, this time due to a technical hiccup at the Russian launch site, Baikonur.

The Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr Phil Mjwara, told SA AMSAT that the launch agency in Russia had sent a message that the launch would probably be at some time in May this year.

He said that as the launch agency had not been specific in their communication he will not make a public announcement until DST had received full details about the reasons for the delay and a new confirmed date.

It is speculated that the delay is caused by problems of delivering one of the other payloads on time.

Currently SumbandilaSat is still safely at the test range near Bredasdorp.

The South African Radio League