H-2A rocket launch in photos

BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Posted: October 8, 2014


A Japanese weather satellite launched Tuesday aboard an H-2A rocket, beginning a mission to monitor tropical cyclones and storm systems over East Asia and the Western Pacific.

The H-2A rocket lifted off at 0516 GMT (1:16 a.m. EDT) from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.

The launch occurred at 2:16 p.m. local time.

The photos below were released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the manufacturer and commercial operator of the H-2A rocket.

Some of the images are video stills from cameras mounted on-board the H-2A rocket, showing separation of the launcher's twin solid rocket boosters, payload fairing, and first stage, then deployment of the Himawari 8 satellite in orbit.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the mission.


Photo credit: MHI



Photo credit: JAXA


Photo credit: JAXA


Photo credit: MHI


Photo credit: JAXA


Photo credit: JAXA


Photo credit: JAXA


Photo credit: JAXA

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