Japan has launched a defense satellite to support military operations and communication as it strengthens its security capabilities amid rising tensions in the Pacific.
An H3 rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southern region of the country, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced.
The H3 rocket successfully placed an X-band defense communication satellite-3 into orbit 29 minutes and 11 seconds after liftoff, which Tokyo will use for information and data sharing to enhance military operations.
H3 Rocket
This month’s launch marks the third consecutive successful flight of the H3 system, following a failed debut attempt last year.
On that occasion, the rocket failed to reach the second stage, prompting the aerospace agency to send a command to destroy it mid-air to guarantee safety.
JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries developed the H3 launch system as an “easy-to-use rocket,” emphasizing high flexibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
JAXA aims to launch the H3 rocket six times per year for the next two decades.
Boosting Security
Alongside advancing its space sector, the Asian country is implementing a broader military expansion under the five-year Defense Buildup Program initiated in 2022.
The program aims to address potential threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.
Earlier this year, Tokyo launched a domestically developed intelligence-gathering satellite, Optical-8, to monitor North Korea’s military activities.
