H3 Rocket No. 9 Successfully Launches Japan GPS Satellite

Aug 11, 2026 | News On Japan

KAGOSHIMA - Japan's H3 Rocket No. 9 successfully placed the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into its planned orbit after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:23 a.m. on August 11, marking the country's second consecutive successful H3 launch.

The H3, Japan's mainstay launch vehicle, climbed into the dark sky from the space center on Tanegashima, with a bright orange glow visible during its ascent.

About 30 minutes after liftoff, the rocket successfully deployed Michibiki No. 7 into its designated orbit.

The satellite is part of Japan's satellite positioning system, often described as the country's version of GPS, and is intended to improve the accuracy of location information used by car navigation systems, smartphones and other devices.

The H3 program suffered a launch failure in December 2025 after a problem developed with the structure used to mount the satellite on the rocket.

The latest mission follows another successful H3 launch in June 2026, giving the rocket two consecutive successful missions.

Source: TBS

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