51.   The Russians decided that the first launch should be put back so as not to jeopardize maintenance of the cargo module, Koptiev told a press conference.

52.   This was the first satellite launch from the Odyssey platform, officials said, adding that four more satellites would blast off the platform later this year.

53.   The fiasco of this first commercial launch has plunged Russian space scientists into gloom.

54.   The first launch of a new generation of unmanned European rockets has been delayed because of problems with a fuel pump, the European Space Agency announced Sunday.

55.   The first launch of a probe designed to study an asteroid has been postponed Friday because of technical problems on the launching ramp, NASA officials said.

56.   The first launch of a third generation Inmarsat communications satellite was delayed for a second day due to bad weather, NASA said Wednesday.

57.   The first launch of a third generation Inmarsat communications satellite was delayed until late Tuesday, NASA said.