During the final checks of last Friday’s planned Ariane 5 ECA mission, a software programming error was discovered, resulting in the launch of the rocket with Skynet-5C and Turksat-3A satellites aboard being negated. This problem is now under review by a number of experts. The Ariane 5’s flight software is regularly updated to ensure the data from recent launches is incorporated, as well as to make certain pre-liftoff validation is assured. However, the checks revealed a software module that was producing an error, and the launch was halted, even though that particular software component would be used only in case of an in-flight failure. The software was last modified after the March 9th launch of an Ariane 5 ES vehicle, used to orbit the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) which is used to re-supply the ISS. Then there was another on-target flight on April 18th with a dual satcom payload carried aloft by an Ariane 5 ECA. It appears this software programming problem occurred during the software updates made after the ATV launch.
Software Glitch Responsible For Launch Delay Under Investigation
During the final checks of last Friday’s planned Ariane 5 ECA mission, a software programming error was discovered, resulting in the launch of the rocket with Skynet-5C and Turksat-3A satellites aboard being negated. This problem is now under review by a number of experts. The Ariane 5’s flight software is regularly updated to ensure the data from recent launches is incorporated, as well as to make certain pre-liftoff validation is assured. However, the checks revealed a software module that was producing an error, and the launch was halted, even though that particular software component would be used only in case of an in-flight failure. The software was last modified after the March 9th launch of an Ariane 5 ES vehicle, used to orbit the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) which is used to re-supply the ISS. Then there was another on-target flight on April 18th with a dual satcom payload carried aloft by an Ariane 5 ECA. It appears this software programming problem occurred during the software updates made after the ATV launch.
