UK Broadband Satellite Switches Rocket

The spacecraft of the United Kingdom that is expected to help bridge the nation's digital divide by delivering space-borne broadband network access, has reportedly switched rockets. The reports say that Avanti Communications, the owner of the UK Hylas spacecaft, has signed a deal with Arianespace on Wednesday to use one of the company's launchers to launch its satellite.

It will be either Soyuz or an Ariane 5 rocket that will be launching the UK Hylas spacecraft, instead of Falcon 3, a US launcher that was previously fixed to accomplish the task. The reason behind the switching of rockets, according to the reports is the slipping of the launch shedule further as it prepared for its qualification, as well as maiden flights it was supposed to make prior to the Hylas launch.

David Williams, the chief executive of Avanti Communications said that his broadband firm had currently raised the extra fund required to purchase the certainty afforded by the tried and tested, albeit more costly vehicles of Arianspace. He also said to the BBC that their company were a classic example of scrappy UK start up company.