JAXA

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has postponed the launch of an x-ray astronomy satellite (Astro-H) aboard H-IIA launch vehicle no 30 from the Tanegashima Space Center due to bad weather.

The agency expects to announce a new launch date soon.

JAXA said in a statement: "Clouds including a freezing layer that exceed the restrictions for suitable weather are forecast to be generated at around the scheduled launch time.

"In addition, strong winds are also forecast and they are expected to hinder launch preparations."

Astro-H is JAXA’s sixth satellite dedicated to x-ray astronomy. It will carry four x-ray telescopes and two gamma-ray detectors to study high-energy occurrences in the space, starting with superheated material falling into a black hole and the evolution of huge galaxy clusters.

"Astro-H is JAXA’s sixth satellite dedicated to x-ray astronomy."

Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center also built an instrument and two telescope mirrors, which will be included in the payload of Astro-H.

Astro-H has the ability to observe x-ray sources, such as galaxy clusters and neutron stars, more than ten times fainter than its predecessor, Suzaku.

JAXA’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science developed Astro-H. The satellite is jointly built by a global collaboration led by JAXA, with assistance from Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center and other institutions in Japan, Canada and Europe.

Image: The Astro-H spacecraft at Tsukuba Space Center in Japan. Photo: courtesy of JAXA.