H-2A Launch with IGS-Radar 3 satellite from Tanegashima

December 12, 2011 - Tanegashima Space Center.
A Japanese radar reconnaissance satellite rode into orbit atop an H-2A rocket Monday, expanding the country's capacity to observe military and civil developments around the world.
The satellite lifted off at 0121 GMT Monday (8:21 p.m. EST Sunday) from the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan's primary space launch base on a remote island at the southern end of the main islands.
Launch was at 10:21 a.m. local time in Japan.
The two-stage H-2A rocket, fitted with two solid rocket boosters, soared into a clear sky and delivered the satellite into orbit about 20 minutes later.
The Japanese space agency, JAXA, announced the launch was a success. It was the 20th flight of the H-2A launcher, and 19 of the missions have been flawless.
Japanese officials have not revealed the capabilities of the satellite, but it carries a synthetic aperture radar instrument designed to see through clouds and take pictures on the night side of the Earth.
Japan has four optical spy satellites in space, including a new craft launched in September which is not yet operational.
The last of Japan's radar satellites failed in orbit last year, leaving the country without an all-weather satellite reconnaissance capability.

Category:

Science & Technology

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• h-2a
• rocket
• japanese
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• igs-radar
• satellite
• military
• tanegashima
• space
• center
• japan
• jaxa
• radar