SumbandilaSat launch now Sep 17

A few minutes before yesterday's (Wednesday Sep 16) planned launch of the Amateur Radio satellite SumbandilaSat it was put on hold for 24 hours. The launch is now scheduled for Thursday September 17 around 14:55 UT

A technical problem in the fuel loading system was the cause of scrubbing the launch. A special filter failed and will have to be replaced. It is expected that the launch will be scheduled for September 17 at 14:55 UT. The final launch can only be confirmed by early afternoon on September 17.

SumbandilaSat was originally scheduled to be launch in May 2007 but has suffered delays from a number of launcher related issues. Let us hope that this week will finally see it lift off after a 28 month wait.

A live video feed of the launch from the Russian Federation Baikonur Cosmodrome should be available at
http://www.tv-tsenki.com/livechoose.php

Updates will be available on the website of the Southern African Amateur Radio Satellite Association (SA AMSAT)
http://www.amsatsa.org.za/

Live coverage of SumbandilaSat launch
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2009/
live_coverage_of_sumbandilasat_launch.htm