Bad weather delayed the launch of an Ariane-5 rocket for at least 24 hours, the second launch delay after the first due to a technical problem, the Arianespace said.

The blast-off of the rocket was scheduled for 0043 GMT Friday from the South American base in Kourou, French Guiana. The new date now was set at 0044 GMT Saturday.

A problem detected in the rocket's electrical system on Monday, hours before scheduled launch, caused the first delay.

Aboard the rocket, the six-ton Anik-F2 satellite is the world's largest satellite ever built and launched so far. It was built by Boeing Satellite Systems for the Canadian telecommunications operator Telesat.

The satellite to be placed in orbit above the equator will transmit digital signals to North America for a 15-year period.

Source: Xinhua