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Contact:
Christine Nelson |
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Contact:
Christine Nelson |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-103
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., May 7, 1997 -- -- The McDonnell Douglas (NYSE: MD) Delta II launch on May 11 of Thor II for Telenor Satellite Services of Norway has been rescheduled for
May 18.
The postponement will allow time for the launch team to review flight data from the IRIDIUM ® launch that occurred on
May 5. Flight data recorded from tracking stations around the world is expected to be received in California this week. During the IRIDIUM mission, after the satellites had reached their planned deployment orbit, the second stage attitude control system had higher than planned gas consumption. The system uses nitrogen gas to orient the second stage during the orbital coast periods. The mission outcome was not affected, and all satellites were successfully deployed.
The team will be prepared for a May 17 date if Space Shuttle Atlantis STS 84 launches on May 15 and the 17th becomes available.