Japanese space agency officials are working to find out why their new flagship rocket did not lift off on Friday. They say they could make another attempt by early March.

The H3 was due to blast off on its maiden voyage from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.

It was carrying an Earth observation satellite for improving disaster management.

Footage showed the H3's main engine igniting, and a large plume of smoke, but the rocket did not lift off.

Officials say an anomaly was found in the first stage system, and ignition signals for the booster rockets were not sent.

They plan to remove the fuel and send the rocket back to the assembly building as early as Saturday morning.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, project manager Okada Masashi indicated that engineers could try another launch by March 10.

The H3 was initially slated to blast off in fiscal 2020. The date was pushed back twice because of difficulties with the engine.