(AFP) – Sep 11, 2007

TOKYO (AFP) — Bad weather has forced Japan to postpone the launch of a lunar orbiter that aims to collect data for research on the moon's origin and evolution, the country's space exploration agency said Tuesday.

The launch from the Space Centre on the small island of Tanegashima off the southern tip of Kyushu island has been delayed by one day until 10:31 am (0131 GMT) on Friday, said a spokeswoman for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The one-year mission, which is already several years behind schedule because of technical mishaps, is said by the agency to be the largest lunar mission since the US Apollo programme started nearly four decades ago.

The explorer is named "Kaguya" after a beautiful princess who charms many men before ascending to her home, the moon, in a popular Japanese folktale.

The probe will consist of a main unit, which will circulate 100 kilometres (60 miles) above the moon, and two small satellites.

It will gather data on chemical element distribution, mineral distribution, topographical and surface structures, the gravity field and the environment of the moon, the agency said.

Japan has been expanding its space operations and has set a goal of sending an astronaut to the moon by 2020.

It faced an embarrassing failure in November 2003 when it had to destroy a rocket carrying a spy satellite 10 minutes after lift-off because a rocket booster failed to separate.

The setback came just a month after neighbouring China became the third country to carry out a manned space mission. China is pressing ahead with a programme that includes space walks and dockings.

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