South African scientists will be hoping it's third time lucky today, after the launch of a locally developed and built satellite was delayed for a second time yesterday.
The SumbandilaSat micro-satellite was scheduled to hitch a ride on the Russian Soyuz rocket to be launched from the Kazakhstan Baikonur space base late yesterday afternoon but technical difficulties at the space base stopped the countdown 20 minutes from deadline yesterday.
This, after the satellite's launch had had to be delayed on Tuesday because of bad weather.
The 81kg R26-million satellite was designed and built by engineers from Stellenbosch University and a local company, SunSpace.
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Meanwhile, the ANC jumped the gun and sent out a press statement proudly recognising the achievement before it even happened. Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor is in Kazakhstan to attend the launch
A third attempt to get the satellite in space is planned for this afternoon. - Staff Reporter
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This article was originally published on page 7 of Cape Argus on September 17, 2009
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