Japan to launch intelligence-gathering satellite after delay

TOKYO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japan has set Sunday as the new launch date for an H2A rocket carrying a government optical satellite for intelligence-gathering purpose, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Thursday.

The H2A rocket is scheduled to be launched Sunday morning from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

The previous launch was set for Jan. 28, but was canceled due to a glitch during the countdown. A leak was discovered in the piping supplying the rocket with nitrogen gas for liftoff.

Mitsubishi Heavy attributed the leak to pipe corrosion and said it has completed necessary repairs and inspections.