Japan’s space agency, JAXA, announced on Sunday that it successfully launched a navigation satellite aboard its new H3 rocket. The mission is part of Japan’s efforts to establish a more accurate location positioning system.
The rocket, carrying the Michibiki 6 satellite, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center, located on a southwestern island of Japan.
According to JAXA’s H3 project manager, Makoto Arita, the launch proceeded without any issues, and the satellite successfully separated from the rocket approximately 29 minutes after liftoff. The satellite is expected to reach its intended geospatial orbit in about two weeks.
Japan currently operates the quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS), which began in 2018 with four satellites. The Michibiki 6 satellite will become the fifth member of this regional navigation network.
The Michibiki satellite signals are used to enhance the American GPS system, improving positioning data for smartphones, cars, maritime navigation, and drones.
Japan intends to launch two additional navigation satellites, aiming for a seven-satellite system by March 2026 to provide more precise global positioning capabilities independent of foreign services like the U.S. GPS, as outlined by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. By the late 2030s, Japan plans to expand this network to 11 satellites.
Sunday’s launch, which was delayed by a day due to weather conditions, marked the fourth successful flight in a row for the H3 rocket system. This came after a disappointing debut last year when the rocket had to be destroyed along with its payload following a failure.
Japan views a reliable and commercially competitive space transport system as essential for both its space program and national security. To this end, the country has been developing two new flagship rockets to replace the H2A series: the larger H3 and the smaller Epsilon system. Japan aims to meet a wide range of customer needs and strengthen its position in the expanding satellite launch market.