Japan Successfully Launches 4th H3 Rocket

Tanegashima, Kagoshima Pref., Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, on Monday successfully launched the fourth of its H3 rocket carrying an X-band defense communication satellite.

The Kirameki-3 geostationary satellite was put into orbit about 30 minutes after the rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 3:48 p.m. local time.

Three consecutive successful launches of the H3 rocket brought the project to the stage of stable operation, Makoto Arita, JAXA's H3 project manager, said at a press conference. "We think it's a very big step," he said.

Monday's successful launch will contribute to Japan's security and the improvement of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' operational capabilities, said Yasuhiro Kato, chief of command and communications systems at the ministry's Joint Staff.

The Kirameki-3 orbits at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. It was the first time to launch a geostationary satellite with the H3 rocket.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]