TOKYO - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said Thursday it has decided to postpone an experiment to release satellites from the International Space Station (ISS) due to approaching space debris.

The experiment planned for the early hours of Friday is scheduled to launch five small satellites provided by the Fukuoka Institute of Technology and Tohoku University.

The looming space debris may require the ISS to change its orbit, according to the national aerospace agency.

The task will be undertaken by astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, 43, who is staying at the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module, the country's first manned experiment facility, in the ISS.