Russia's space agency on Tuesday postponed the launch of a European Space Agency weather satellite for at least a day, an agency official said, citing technical problems, according to AP. The delay of the Soyuz-2 rocket carrying the MetOp satellite is the latest in a series surrounding the satellite's launch from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Federal Space Agency spokesman Igor Panarin told The Associated Press that the launch was put off until 1628 GMT Wednesday, due to technical problems that he would not identify. The 4,000 kilogram (8,800-pound) satellite is intended to be the first in a series of three developed under a joint undertaking between ESA and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. The probe is also part of a new venture between the ESA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that will allow the two agencies' satellites to collect more data over a wider area. The MetOp was originally scheduled to be sent into orbit in July but problems arose with the rocket's ground support system at the launch facility in Kazakhstan. While Russia's manned space program is seen a success _ consistently shuttling crews and cargo up to the international space station _ its efforts to expand into lucrative commercial satellite launches has seen a series of embarrassing failures or mishaps. Russia is working with France to expand the Kourou launch pad in French Guyana _ a project that will allow Russian rockets to carry heavier cargoes to higher orbits. In addition to Baikonur, Russia also uses the northern Pletesk base for military and commercial launches.
