KYODO



 

Japan on Sunday successfully launched a flagship H3 rocket and put into orbit a quasi-zenith satellite, aiming to improve the accuracy of global positioning data for various applications.

The No. 5 H3 rocket marked its fourth consecutive successful liftoff following a failed debut in 2023, carrying the No. 6 Michibiki satellite to enhance positioning accuracy by operating alongside previously launched satellites, reducing errors to just a few centimeters.

The system will operate with seven Michibiki satellites by fiscal 2026, and the development of an additional four satellites for backup will begin in fiscal 2025.

 

Currently, Michibiki satellites No. 1 through 4 are in operation, with the latest No. 6 becoming the fifth satellite in the series.

The geostationary orbit is highly contested among nations, leading the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to prioritize the launch of the No. 6 satellite before the No. 5 to secure its orbital position.

The H3, a large two-stage liquid-fueled rocket, lifted off at around 5:30 p.m. from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.