Artist's concept of a Dnepr-1 launch. Photo: ISC Kosmotras

After two postponements in late August of the Dnepr-1 rocket, a converted Soviet SS-18, ISC Kosmotras officials say that the launch is now back on track for a liftoff later this month.

The launch is currently set for September 27 at around 1000 GMT (6:00 a.m. EDT).

The two launch attempts on August 25 and 26 were postponed for a variety of technical reasons, including abnormal readings of the pressure inside of the first stage of the rocket. The aborts were issued by an automated launch control system.

After reviewing and analyzing what had caused the two aborts, ISC Kosmotras officials decided to replace the rocket. The Dnepr-1's storable propellants were then off-loaded from the rocket, followed by the removal of the mission's five payloads. The rocket was then extracted from its launch silo at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, then transported back to Russia. The replacement rocket was then shipped to Baikonur by the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces and ISC Kosmotras.

ISC Kosmotras marketing chief Vlad Solovey said that ISC Kosmotras plans to use September 28 as a back-up launch date. Solovey also stated that satellite preparations for launch will resume some time later this week.

The Dnepr-1 is carrying the following satellites into orbit: TiungSat-1, MegSat-1, UNISAT, and Saudisat 1A and 1B.