Japan space firm postpones 2nd attempt at orbit

TOKYO (AFP) - A company aiming to become Japan's first private firm to put a satellite into orbit postponed its rocket launch on Saturday, after its first try ended in a mid-air explosion.

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Tokyo-based Space One's Kairos rocket was to make its second blast-off from the company's launch pad in the rural western region of Wakayama at 11 a.m. (0200 GMT), but called it off in a move announced about 20 minutes before the scheduled launch.

"During the final decision-making process for the launch, we analyzed the weather conditions and determined that the wind speeds above an altitude of 10 kilometers were so strong that it was not suitable for launch," Space One executive Kozo Abe told reporters.

Abe said the company plans to make another attempt on Sunday at 11 a.m.

"We will do our utmost to prepare for tomorrow's launch," he said.