Weather, Or Not, That Is The Question For H-IIA Launch

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) were scheduled to launch the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 15 (H-IIA F15) on January 22, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST), from the Tanegashima Space Center. However, the launch has now been rescheduled to January 23 (JST) due to an excessive volume of clouds that include a freezing layer which are expected to cover the launch site on the original launch date. The launch time on January 23rd is now between 12:54 p.m. and 1:16 p.m. The final decision will be made as weather conditions continue to be monitored between this date and the 23rd.