Posted: Tue, Feb 21, 2006, 7:59 AM ET (1259 GMT)
The launch of a Japanese satellite was postponed 24 hours late Monday because of poor weather conditions. The launch of the M-5 rocket carrying the Astro-F satellite was scheduled for 4:28 pm EST Monday (2128 GMT Monday, 6:28 am JST Tuesday) but JAXA announced that "adverse" weather conditions forced them to postpone the launch 24 hours. Astro-F is an infrared astronomy satellite, featuring a 70-cm telescope, that will operate from polar orbit. The launch will be the third this year for Japan — an unusually active schedule — and the second launch in less than a week. The launch window for this mission extends through February 28.

Related Links:

•  NasaSpaceFlight.com article
•  AP article
•  JAXA press release