The original launch, on a heavy lift Ariane 5 rocket, was called off “after a software programming glitch was discovered during the final countdown”.

The upcoming flight will orbit a dual satellite payload of EADS Astrium’s Skynet 5C spacecraft for U.K.-based operator Paradigm, and the Thales Alenia Space-built Turksat 3A relay platform for Turksat of Turkey.

Skynet military satellite in orbit

Due to their geostationary orbits, the Skynet satellites will provide secure military communications between the UK and British forces deployed anywhere in the world for the next 15 years.

These satellites have technology that allows them to pinpoint communications on to particular regions of the world with absolute precision, and without interference,” explained Malcolm Peto from Paradigm Secure Communications, the company that runs Skynet. “You know the areas where British forces operate, and you can imagine the type of interference attempted. We can avoid that very simply, very clinically.

Skynet will also be used to route battlefield communications and commands between remote flying drones and provide welfare services such as free messages between service personnel on operations and their families and friends back home.

the Skynet military communications system

Once fully deployed the Skynet satellites are powered by huge solar arrays, giving the two metre satellites a total wingspan of 34 metres, the same as an Airbus. They are owned and operated by Paradigm, a subsidiary of the Astrium/European Aerospace and Defence Company, making them the first military spacecraft not owned by a governmental or international organisation.

This is the third of seven Ariane 5 launches planned for 2008. Astrium see the Ariane 5 as the “world’s reference for heavy-lift launchers, … carrying payloads weighing more than 9 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit with a high degree of accuracy”.

Ariane 5 blasts off

*LATE BREAKING NEWS* With one hour to go before launch, Arianespace have announced “During final pre-launch checks for the Ariane 5 ECA’s mission with Skynet 5C the result of a launcher software test was not nominal.

Therefore, Arianespace has decided to stop the launch countdown. The launch vehicle and the two payloads are in a safe condition.

A new date for the mission will be announced as soon as possible.”

Watch this space…