TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's space agency said Wednesday it was delaying the launch of a satellite aimed at providing high-speed Internet access across Asia due to a technical problem with its rocket.
Japan was slated Friday to launch the Kazuna, an experimental satellite looking at how to bring broadband-speed service across Asia even when terrestrial infrastructure goes down.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said it discovered a problem with the gas jet thruster for its H-2A launch rocket on Tuesday at its station on the southern island of Tanegashima.
"The new launch date will be announced as soon as it is determined," a JAXA statement said.
The satellite was jointly developed by JAXA and industrial giant Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., which is handling the launch for the second time since the H-2A was privatised in April 2007.
Japan, like developing Asian powers China and India, has been stepping up its space operations. Japan has set a goal of sending an astronaut to the moon by 2020.
news.yahoo.com
Zaldy A. Bonagua Jr.
IV-Graviton
Februaty 17,2008
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