Delta Rocket Carries British Satellite Aloft
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — A commercial Delta 2 rocket carrying a $100-million British satellite thundered into space Friday in a spectacular night flight to complete a powerful two-satellite network of direct-broadcast television relay stations.
The 126-foot McDonnell Douglas rocket blasted off from launching pad 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station about one hour late because of stormy weather and trouble with the ground computer.
Once in place 22,300 miles above the equator, the satellite will allow British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd. to transmit five television channels directly to cable stations and to small home antennas across the United Kingdom.
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