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Michibiki 2

H-2A

Japanese navigation craft successfully delivered to orbit

June 1, 2017 Stephen Clark

Japan deployed the first of three navigation satellites it intends to launch in the next year Thursday, sending a 4.4-ton spacecraft on the way to an high-altitude orbital perch on top of an H-2A rocket to improve positioning data for drivers, hikers and government agencies in East Asia.

H-2A

Watch a replay of the launch of a Japanese navigation satellite

June 1, 2017 Spaceflight Now

A Japanese H-2A rocket, carrying the Michibiki 2 navigation satellite, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 0017:46 GMT Thursday (8:17:46 p.m. EDT Wednesday).

H-2A

Photos: Japan’s H-2A rocket prepared for launch with Michibiki 2

May 31, 2017 Stephen Clark

The second satellite in Japan’s regional space-based navigation constellation is set for launch Thursday aboard an H-2A rocket, and these photos show the hydrogen-fueled launcher’s preparations for liftoff, from stacking inside an assembly hangar at the Tanegashima Space Center through rollout to the launch pad.

H-2A

Live coverage: H-2A rocket lifts off from Japan with navigation satellite

May 31, 2017 Stephen Clark

A Japanese H-2A rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 0017:46 GMT Thursday (8:17:46 p.m. EDT Wednesday) with the Michibiki 2 navigation satellite designed to improve positioning and timing services over Japan.

H-2A

Japanese rocket scheduled for launch with navigation satellite

May 30, 2017 Stephen Clark

A Japanese H-2A rocket is set for launch Thursday with the country’s second navigation satellite, growing a network of beacons in the sky to give emergency responders, security forces and the public more accurate positioning and timing signals in Japan and neighboring regions.

News Headlines

  • SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
    September 17, 2025
  • NASA, Northrop Grumman postpone Cygnus XL arrival to ISS following propulsion issue
    September 16, 2025
  • SpaceX scrubs launch of 24 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB for a second day
    September 16, 2025
  • Northrop Grumman’s 1st Cygnus XL spacecraft launches on cargo run to the space station
    September 15, 2025
  • Launch preview: SpaceX to launch new, improved Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL resupply ship to the space station
    September 14, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
    September 13, 2025
  • Department of the Air Force, FAA clear SpaceX to launch up to 120 Falcon 9 rockets annually from Cape Canaveral
    September 12, 2025
  • New U.S. military satellite constellation takes shape with first launch from Vandenberg SFB
    September 12, 2025
  • SpaceX launches Indonesian communications satellite following three days of scrubs
    September 10, 2025
  • Launch preview: Space Development Agency, SpaceX to launch next-gen national security satellites
    September 10, 2025
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