Japan delays rocket launch

Japan’s space agency today delayed the launch of a rocket carrying an infrared satellite due to bad weather.

The lift off was called off because rain could endanger the M-V rocket’s ascent, according to Masayuki Kono of the Japan Aerosace Exploration Agency.

JAXA has not yet set a new launch date for the one-ton satellite, which was set to be launched from Uchinoura, 620 miles southwest of Tokyo.

The satellite ASTRO-F is an Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) that can map the sky at infrared wavelengths, first developed by the United Kingdom, the US and the Netherlands.

ASTRO-F’s delay comes after two successful launches in as many months.

JAXA launched two H-2A rockets from the remote, southern island of Tanegashima in January and February, each carrying observation satellites.