Delayed Astra 5B satellite set for March launch

SES’s delayed Astra 5B satellite is now due to take off in March, according to details released by launch partner Arianespace.

The launch service firm said that the Astra 5B satellite and Hispasat’s Amazonas 4A satellite are due to blast off on March 7 on Arianespace flight VA216.

Astra 5B was originally due to blast off from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guyana, on December 6, before being moved to January after Arianespace said it would not have its Ariane 5 booster ready in time.