Tokyo: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has again delayed the launch of its cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), which was scheduled for August 17 (Monday), as unfavorable weather is forecasted.
According to the US space agency NASA, JAXA is delaying the launch of its H-II Transport Vehicle (HTV)-5 to the ISS from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan due to an unfavourable weather forecast at the launch site for the next two days.
The launch was originally scheduled for Sunday, August 16, and postponed until Monday. On Sunday, JAXA moved the launch to Wednesday.
The new launch date is set for August 19, Wednesday. However, launch date may be delayed further due to weather conditions.
NASA said its Television will carry live coverage of the event beginning at 7 a.m.
Loaded with more than 4.5 tons of supplies, including water, spare parts and experiment hardware for the six-person space station crew, the unpiloted cargo craft, named Kounotori, Japanese for “white stork,” will travel five days to reach the space station.
Rendezvous and grapple of the HTV-5 now is scheduled for approximately 6:55 a.m. on Monday, August 24.
(Source: NASA)
