Two major European Space Agency (ESA) missions have been postponed due to technical issues. Herschel, an infrared observatory, and Planck, a satellite to study the cosmic microwave background, were to launch aboard a single Ariane 5 rocket in mid-April from ESA’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

But it appears that the launch is off for now. No new date has yet been given, and further details are expected within the hour.

Update

OK maybe not within the hour, but ESA has released a statement:

“The verification of operations procedures for Herschel and Planck at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) has now positively concluded. However, during final checks on the spacecraft, concerns have arisen and a short delay is proposed in order to allow ESA and Arianespace to carry out a final and independent check of the safety margins. Therefore, the final decision on the date of the Herschel and Planck launch will be postponed by a few days.”

Credit: ESA