Japan's space agency announced on Sunday the successful launch of a navigation satellite on its new flagship H3 rocket, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to establish a more precise location positioning system. The H3 rocket, carrying the Michibiki 6 satellite, took off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.
The launch proceeded smoothly, with the satellite separating from the rocket as planned approximately 29 minutes after liftoff. According to officials, the Michibiki 6 satellite is expected to reach its targeted geospatial orbit in about two weeks.
Japan currently operates the quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) with four satellites, which serves as a regional navigation system that became operational in 2018. The Michibiki 6 satellite will join this network as the fifth satellite, enhancing positioning data for various applications such as smartphones, car navigation, maritime navigation, and drones.
Japan's future plans include launching two additional navigation satellites by March 2026 to establish a seven-satellite system, aiming to achieve more precise global positioning capabilities independently of foreign services, including the U.S. By the late 2030s, Japan aims to expand its network to include 11 satellites.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed satisfaction with the successful launch, emphasizing the government's commitment to maximizing the utilization of the navigation satellite system to ensure widespread access to accurate positioning data.
The recent launch, which was delayed by a day due to weather conditions, marked the fourth consecutive successful flight for the H3 system following a failed debut attempt last year. Japan views a stable and competitive space transport capability as crucial for its space program and national security, leading to the development of two new flagship rockets: the larger H3 with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the smaller Epsilon system with IHI, a unit of a heavy machinery manufacturer. These initiatives aim to meet diverse customer needs and enhance Japan's position in the expanding satellite launch market.
