The final launch of an Ariane 4 rocket could come as soon as early Saturday following three days of weather delays, Arianespace officials said. Conditions late this afternoon EST (after SATELLITE TODAY’s deadline) will determine if the launch from Kourou, French Guiana, will occur as planned, said Suzy Chambers, director of external affairs at Arianespace.High-altitude winds at Arianespace’s Spaceport caused three launch delays of Flight 159.The Ariane 4, with an Intelsat 907 satellite onboard, remains on the launch pad with the protection of a mobile service gantry.

The workhorse Ariane 4 launch vehicle is being phased out to make room for the next-generation, heavy-lift Ariane 5. Intelsat 907, the latest in Intelsat’s IX series of communications satellites, is intended to serve Africa, the Americas and Europe from its orbital position at 27.5 degrees West longitude.