Japan successfully launches new reconnaissance satellite into space

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Jan 08:23

Japan's space agency, JAXA, announces the successful launching of the IGS-Radar 7 reconnaissance satellite into aerospace.

IGS-Radar 7 reconnaissance satellite successfully launched (JAXA)

The new Japanese IGS-Radar 7 reconnaissance satellite was successfully launched into orbit by Japan's aerospace exploration agency JAXA on Thursday, according to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Launch Services.

On Twitter, MHI Launch Services wrote "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 46 at 10:50 [a.m. local time, 01:50 GMT] on Jan. 26, 2023 JST from the Tanegashima Space Center."

「情報収集衛星レーダ７号機」の分離が確認されました。これで、H-IIAロケット46号機による「情報収集衛星レーダ７号機」の打上げに関するレポートを終了します。ありがとうございました。 #H2AF46
— MHI Launch Services (@MHI_LS) January 26, 2023

The IGS-Radar 7, which is a new reconnaissance satellite, has now successfully split from the rocket, as reported by MIH.

The satellite is part of the Japanese government's Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) reconnaissance satellite launch program, with the primary purpose of ensuring the country's independence in gathering satellite intelligence.

Japan currently has a number of optical reconnaissance and radar satellites orbiting in space.

It is worth noting that optical satellites examine the Earth during the day, and can be used to monitor military targets, while radar satellites monitor the Earth's surface at night or in low sight.

Previously, Space rocket failed launch

JAXA confirmed, in October of 2022, that it sent a self-destruct order to its Epsilon rocket after a failed launch because of a problem that meant the craft could not safely fly.

The unmanned rocket, on its sixth mission, was taking satellites into orbit to demonstrate "innovative" technologies.

A JAXA official explained in televised comments that "the rocket can't continue a safe flight, because of the danger it would create if it falls on the ground."

"So we took measures to avoid such an incident, and we sent the signal (to destroy the rocket)," he continued, adding that information on the cause of the issue was not immediately available.

It was Japan's first failed rocket launch since 2003, and public broadcaster NHK mentioned that the self-destruct order was issued around 10 minutes after liftoff.