Japan’s space agency suspended a planned launch of a rocket carrying what would be the country’s first spacecraft to land on the moon, with operator Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) citing high winds.
Although the H-IIA rocket, the Japanese flagship launch vehicle, has a 98% launch success rate, unsuitable wind conditions in the upper atmosphere forced a suspension 27 minutes before the planned liftoff yesterday.
“High-altitude winds hit our constraint for a launch … which had been set to ensure no impact from debris falling outside of pre-warned areas,” said MHI H-IIA launch unit chief Tatsuru Tokunaga.
Strong winds of nearly 108 kph (67 mph) were observed at an altitude of 5,000-15,000 metres, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) safety manager Michio Kawakami said.
Multiple typhoons around Japan could have affected the wind conditions, he added.
The new launch date has not been decided, but will be no sooner than Thursday because of necessary processes such as re-fuelling, Tokunaga said.
MHI and Jaxa have said a launch could take place as late as Sept 15.