Japan successfully launches an advanced Earth observation satellite on its new flagship H3 rocket

Japan’s H3 rocket with satellite Daichi 4 lifts off the launch pad in Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima, Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan, Monday, July 1, 2024. Japan’s space agency on Monday launched the new flagship H3 rocket carrying an upgraded observation satellite for disaster response and security.(Kyodo News via AP)ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO (AP) — Japan successfully deployed an upgraded Earth observation satellite for disaster response and security after it was launched on a new flagship H3 rocket Monday.

The H3 No. 3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island and released its payload about 16 minutes later, putting it into a targeted orbit as planned, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said during a livestream.

The Advanced Land Observation Satellite, or ALOS-4, is tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking, including for volcanic and seismic activity and other land movements. It's also capable of monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry.

By Mari Yamaguchi.

Full story at Yahoo News.