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ARIANESPACE FLIGHT 159

February 13: Ariane 4's final flight awaits a change in the weather

For the third day in a row, strong winds at altitude over the
Spaceport in French Guiana have postponed Arianespace Flight 159 - the 
last mission of an Ariane 4.

The prevailing winds continue to exceed established limits for launch
operations, leading to a weather hold that prevented the final
countdown from being initiated.

Flight 159's Ariane 4 remains on the pad, protected by the mobile
service gantry. The launcher and its Intelsat 907 satellite payload
are maintained in a safe mode.

The weather situation will be reviewed again tomorrow, with an update
announcement planned during the day.

Flight 159 will close out the Ariane 4's operational career, as this
workhorse launcher family is succeeded by the heavy-lift Ariane 5.

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