Citing SpaceX delays, Inmarsat moves satellite launch from Falcon Heavy to Ariane 5

The launch next year of a commercial communications craft jointly managed by London-based Inmarsat and the Greek satellite operator Hellas-Sat has been switched from SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy to Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket, officials said Thursday. Inmarsat said in a statement it decided with Hellas-Sat to the satellite’s launch to an Ariane 5 rocket following a delay in SpaceX’s launch schedule. The launch aboard an Ariane 5 from Kourou, French Guiana, is expected by the middle of 2017, officials said. Officials ordered the multipurpose satellite from Thales Alenia Space for a planned launch by the end of 2016 on a Falcon Heavy rocket, SpaceX’s huge new booster which is still awaiting its first demonstration flight. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Dec 10)