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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

  • Orion spacecraft arrives at VAB ahead of stacking for Artemis 2
    October 17, 2025
  • SpaceX sends 28 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit in predawn launch
    October 15, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 2nd batch of satellites for Space Development Agency following weather scrub
    October 14, 2025
  • Rocket Lab launches 7th StriX Earth observation satellites for Japan-based Synspective
    October 14, 2025
  • SpaceX launches final Version 2 Starship-Super Heavy rocket
    October 14, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 24 Amazon Kuiper satellites following days of weather delays
    October 13, 2025
  • Launch preview: SpaceX to launch final Version 2 Starship-Super Heavy from Starbase
    October 12, 2025
  • U.S. Space Force picks Blue Origin bid for expanding satellite processing at Cape Canaveral
    October 9, 2025
  • SpaceX delays launching Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites amid backdrop of poor weather
    October 9, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites with a Falcon 9 booster flying for a 29th time
    October 7, 2025
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