Problems with ground equipment are expected to delay a test launch of a new Russian rocket designed to ferry cargo to the International Space Station.
The first blastoff of the Soyuz 2-1A carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Space Center was set for Oct. 29, but is now facing a delay because of a ground systems failure, Novosti reported Wednesday.
The new blastoff window is estimated to be from Nov. 2 to Nov. 5, officials said.
The rocket has the capacity to carry 660 pounds more than previous Russian rockets used to travel to the space station.
It is always extremely difficult to prepare for the first launch, for it attracts much attention, and it's better to check everything once again than fail in the end, one official said.
