Japan Launches Third Geo-Positioning Satellite.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched the H-IIA F35 rocket tasked to place its third ‘Quasi-Zenith’ satellite, Michibiki No. 3, into orbit, on Saturday.



The rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, western Japan, at 02:29 pm (05:29 GMT), according to Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) was commissioned by the government to carry the satellite into space as part of Japan’s plan to build a local version of the U.S. global positioning system (GPS) aimed to offer location information for auto-piloting of cars and possibly national security purposes.

Michibiki 3 is the third of four Quasi-Zenith satellites which are together designed to improve global navigation, augment signals around Japan and, in turn, improve communication in the case of natural disasters.