Japan Launches New Satellite to Improve Navigation System

Japan's space agency says it successfully launched a navigation satellite on its new H3 rocket. The latest launch on February 2 took place as the country aims to develop a more precise positioning system.

The H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki 6 satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island.

Makoto Arita oversees the H3 project for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency known as JAXA. Arita said everything went smoothly and the satellite successfully separated from the rocket as planned about 29 minutes after liftoff.

Officials said it should reach its target orbit around Earth in the middle of February.

Japan’s current system is called the quasi-zenith satellite system, or QZSS. It started operating in 2018 and has four satellites that serve a regional navigation system. The Michibiki 6 will be the fifth satellite in the network.

Michibiki's signals are used to supplement the American satellite system called the Global Positioning System (GPS). It will also improve positioning data for smartphones, car navigation, navigation at sea and drones.

Japan plans to launch two more navigation satellites to have a seven-satellite system by March 2026. The Japan Science and Technology Agency hopes that will create a more precise global positioning ability without depending on foreign services, including GPS. By the late 2030s, Japan plans to have an 11-satellite network.

First launch not successful

Sunday's launch was the fourth successful flight in a row for the H3 system. The first attempt to launch last year failed and the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload.

Japan considers the ability to regularly put satellites into orbit as important to its space program and national security. It has been developing two new leading rockets. One is the large H3 from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The other is a much smaller Epsilon system with the aerospace unit of IHI corporation. Japan hopes to meet the needs of companies for space launch services and improve its position in the growing satellite launch market.

I’m Jill Robbins.

Mari Yamaguchi reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

navigation – n. the act, activity, or process of finding the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane or car

precise –adj. exactly placed; exactly where something is supposed to be

quasi – prefix almost, nearly

zenith – n. to point in the sky directly above your head

drone - n. a small aircraft that flies without a pilot and is controlled from the ground

supplement – v. to provide additional support

payload – n. anything that someone is paying to have transported by a vehicle such as an airplane or rocket

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