Launch Postponement and Launch Time Change for Epsilon Launch Vehicle with SPRINT-A Onboard

Image Credit: JAXA
Image Credit: JAXA

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) decided to postpone the launch of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard to August 27, 2013, from the Uchinoura Space Center as JAXA has taken extra time to rectify the incompatibility* found in the ground support equipment during the communication function test between the Epsilon-1 and the equipment in the course of launch campaign at the launch site. The launch was originally scheduled for August 22, 2013, from the center. JAXA made sure that the same incompatibility would not recur through a reconfirmation, and no problem was found. JAXA found an incorrect line routing in the signal relay equipment for checking the launch vehicle functions, and it has been rectified. Aside from the above incompatibility, the launch time window was also changed to 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. from the previously set window of 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. as a result of the latest flight trajectory analysis by considering relative positions between the SPRINT-A and the Sun after its separation from the Epsilon-1.

Scheduled launch day: August 27 (Tue.), 2013

Scheduled launch time window: 1:45 thru 2:30 p.m.

Launch window: between Aug. 28 (Wed.) thru Sept. 30 (Mon.), 2013

Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center

* All dates and times are Japan Standard Time.

URL: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2013/08/20130808_epsilon_e.html   

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