Japan Successfully Launches H3 Rocket, Michibiki No. 7 Satellite Enters Orbit

JAKARTA - The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA successfully launched the H3 rocket number 9 and placed the Michibiki No. 7 positioning satellite into orbit on Tuesday. This success was the second consecutive successful launch for Japan's flagship rocket after the failure last December.

Kyodo News, quoted Tuesday, August 11, said the rocket took off from the Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island, southwestern Japan, on Tuesday morning.

Michibiki No. 7 is part of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System or QZSS. This system is used to provide position information for smart phones and vehicle navigation systems.

The re-launch was scheduled for Friday last week. The schedule was then shifted to Monday due to the passing typhoon, then delayed again one day due to bad weather around the launch site.

In December, JAXA launched Michibiki No. 5 with the H3 rocket, but failed to put the satellite into orbit. The failure also delayed the launch of Michibiki No. 7, which was originally planned for February.

Currently, five Michibiki satellites have been providing positioning services.

The Japanese government is targeting seven Michibiki satellites to be in orbit so that the country can provide full positioning services without relying on other countries' systems.

H3 is Japan's main rocket after H2A, which for more than two decades has been the country's flagship launch vehicle and is known for its high reliability.

However, H3's record has not been completely smooth.

After the failure of H3 number 8 in December, JAXA fixed the problem found. In June, the space agency successfully launched the H3 rocket again and placed a number of mini satellites into orbit.

Currently, five Michibiki satellites are operational, while the Japanese government is targeting seven satellites in orbit.