The H3 No. 9, a next-generation flagship rocket carrying a satellite for Japan's satellite navigation system (GPS), was successfully launched on the 11th.
According to NHK and other Japanese media, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched H3 No. 9 at around 4:23 a.m. on the 11th from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan.
H3 No. 9 carried Michibiki (guide) No. 7, a positioning satellite used for Japan's GPS.
JAXA said H3 No. 9 successfully completed the launch by inserting the Michibiki satellite into its planned orbit about 30 minutes after liftoff.
Michibiki is a GPS satellite that provides high-precision location information, with five currently in operation. It is used to reduce location errors for smartphones and to transmit emergency earthquake alerts in areas where signals do not reach.
The Japanese government plans to build a seven-satellite Michibiki system to provide high-precision location information independently without relying on other countries such as the United States.
However, NHK reported that after a failed H3 rocket launch in December last year that resulted in the loss of Michibiki No. 5, the system will for now operate with six satellites, including the newly launched No. 7.
The H3 that launched with Michibiki on board is Japan's flagship rocket model developed to enter the space business market.
H3 No. 9 was originally scheduled to launch on Feb. 2, but the timeline was postponed to identify the cause after the failure of H3 No. 8's launch in December last year.