Storms delay RP satellite launch

Storms delay RP satellite launch

MANILA (DPA): Thunderstorms over the China launch site
yesterday delayed for 24 hours the takeoff of the first Filipino-
owned international communications satellite, officials said.

The decision was made to cancel the fueling procedure as
"lightning could disastrously jeopardize the entire project,"
said Hector Villanueva, President Fidel Ramos' press secretary.

The satellite, named "Agila", was originally scheduled to be
launched at 1:58 a.m yesterday at Xinchang, the southwest China
launch site, but was postponed until 1:50 a.m. today.

"Heavy rains and thunderstorms prevented the fueling of the
launch vehicle," Villanueva said.

Owned by the Mabuhay Philippine Satellite Corporation, Agila
is set to occupy a 144-degree east longitude slot.