Military Space News
ROCKET SCIENCE
Fifth H-3 rocket successfully launches Michibiki No. 6 satellite
illustration only
Fifth H-3 rocket successfully launches Michibiki No. 6 satellite
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Feb 03, 2025



The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched its fifth H-3 rocket on Sunday, carrying the Michibiki No. 6 satellite, a key addition to Japan's independent positioning system. The rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 5:30 p.m. local time and successfully deployed its payload into the designated orbit.

The Michibiki satellite series supports Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which provides highly accurate location data down to centimeter-level precision. Since the launch of the first Michibiki satellite in 2010, four operational satellites have been enhancing Japan's positioning capabilities.

Japan's government plans to expand the system to seven operational satellites by fiscal 2025, allowing the country to operate independently of foreign GPS services. Future plans include increasing the constellation to 11 satellites to further strengthen reliability.

Michibiki No. 6, when fully deployed with its solar panels, measures approximately 19 meters in length and weighs about 1.9 tons. The total cost for developing this satellite and two additional units scheduled for launch next fiscal year is estimated at around Yen 100 billion.

JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries collaborated on the H-3 rocket series, which initially faced a setback with a failed first launch in March 2023. However, subsequent launches, including the latest fifth flight, have proceeded successfully since February 2024. Mitsubishi Heavy aims to secure more contracts by demonstrating reliability through a steady cadence of successful launches.

As part of a long-term strategy, JAXA intends to transition Japan's space launch operations to Mitsubishi Heavy to strengthen the commercial viability of the country's launch sector.

The latest launch took place at 17:30 JST on February 2, 2025, with the H-3 rocket delivering the QZS-6 satellite. Approximately 29 minutes and 3 seconds after liftoff, mission controllers confirmed the successful separation of the satellite. JAXA extended its gratitude to all those who supported the mission.

Related Links
JAXA
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
New Shepard's 29th mission to simulate Lunar Gravity
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 26, 2025
Blue Origin is preparing for the 29th flight of its New Shepard rocket, set to launch on January 28 at 10:00 AM CST / 1600 UTC from Launch Site One in West Texas. The mission, known as NS-29, will simulate the Moon's gravity for the first time and carry 30 payloads, nearly all of which are focused on testing technologies crucial for lunar exploration. The webcast will begin 15 minutes before liftoff. The New Shepard flight will allow its payloads to experience at least two minutes of simulated lun ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
Russia slams Trump plan for 'Star Wars' missile shield

Teledyne Brown Engineering Completes Successful Launch of Black Dagger Zombie Target Missile

Iron Dome for America: Trump's missile defense effort

Trump orders planning for 'Iron Dome' missile shield for US

ROCKET SCIENCE
Pregnant teenager among five Ukrainians killed by Russian missile

Russian missile attack hits Odesa, wounding seven

Russian missile kills four, wounds 20 in east Ukraine: governor

Iran unveils new ballistic missile in show of force

ROCKET SCIENCE
Fatal Ukrainian drone barrage on Russia hits oil refinery

Firestorm Labs awarded $100M contract by US Air Force to boost UAS development

'Unprecedented' level of control allows person without use of limbs to operate virtual quadcopter

US Navy expands contract with Packet Digital to advance UAS battery systems

ROCKET SCIENCE
Mobix Labs Secures Defense Funding to Advance SATCOM SoC Innovation

ESA and Hisdesat prepare to launch advanced secure communications satellite

SpaceX set to launch Hisdesat's SpainSat NG I satellite on January 28

Controversy in Italy over potential deal with Musk's SpaceX

ROCKET SCIENCE
US pledges $117 mn in aid to Lebanon military

Spain pledges 10 million euros for Lebanon army

Swiss to mull conscripting women

US. unveils $500M in military aid at final Ukraine defense summit before Trump takes office

ROCKET SCIENCE
EU countries urge investment bank to up defence funding

Russia former deputy defence minister faces embezzlement trial

Ukraine sacks deputy minister amid arms procurement infighting

Portugal says to meet NATO defence spend minimum earlier

ROCKET SCIENCE
Japan, US ministers express 'firm intent' to reinforce defence alliance

Trump trade threats overshadow European defence meet

Eyeing Trump and Putin, EU, UK, NATO leaders talk defence

Starmer to urge Europe to 'bear down' on Putin at landmark talks

ROCKET SCIENCE
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.