Iridium stalls on satellite launch

Unfortunate satellite telephone business Iridium has been hit by a series of delays to the planned launch of a new satellite.

On Friday, the launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket carrying five new Iridium satellites was delayed just 55 seconds before it was due to blast off because of high winds.

On Saturday, a support aircraft developed mechanical problems and the launch was delayed again.

On Sunday, it was a sensor malfunction in the fuel tanks that forced Boeing to cancel the launch for a third time.

The satellites are intended to function as spares for the network of 73 satellites already in orbit.

However, by Iridium's standards this is a very minor setback. Technical problems and difficulty finding customers put the company into bankruptcy, though a major US department of defence contract in 2000 saved the network from the scrap-heap.