October 18, 2026
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Breaking News
  • [ October 16, 2026 ] Blue Origin to add new Florida launch pads, seeks aggressive increase in New Glenn flight rate New Glenn
  • [ October 15, 2026 ] SpaceX launches a classified payload for U.S. Space Force Falcon 9
  • [ October 13, 2026 ] SpaceX launches NASA science and cargo to the International Space Station Falcon 9
  • [ October 13, 2026 ] Launch preview: NASA, SpaceX to launch new solar arrays, 6,300 pounds of cargo to the space station Falcon 9
  • [ October 12, 2026 ] SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 27 Starlink satellites from California Falcon 9

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

H-2A

Japanese weather observatory successfully boosted into orbit

November 2, 2016 Stephen Clark

A nearly four-ton satellite fitted with a modernized camera to collect more timely images of typhoons and severe weather bolted away from a seaside launch pad in southern Japan on Wednesday, riding an H-2A rocket on the way to an orbital perch more than 22,000 miles above Earth.

H-2A

Key events during the H-2A rocket launch with Himawari 9

November 1, 2016 Stephen Clark

Japan’s Himawari 9 weather satellite will ride into space atop an H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center and reach a preliminary geostationary transfer orbit within 28 minutes of liftoff.

H-2A

Live coverage: H-2A rocket blasts off with latest Japanese weather satellite

November 1, 2016 Stephen Clark

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched from Tanegashima Island on Wednesday with the Himawari 9 weather observatory bound for a perch more than 22,000 miles above Earth to improve forecasting in the Asia-Pacific. Liftoff of the 17-story rocket from southern Japan occurred at 0620 GMT (2:20 a.m. EDT) Wednesday.

H-2A

H-2A rocket rolls to launch pad with Japanese weather satellite

November 1, 2016 Stephen Clark

A sophisticated new Japanese weather satellite will ride an H-2A rocket into orbit Wednesday to start a 15-year mission tracking cyclones and helping meteorologists predict storm movements across the Asia-Pacific and Australia.

H-2A

Photos: H-2A rocket soars on groundbreaking astronomy mission

February 19, 2016 Stephen Clark

Burning a mixture of super-cold liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen and pre-packed solid propellant, Japan’s H-2A rocket vaulted into a deep blue evening sky over the beaches of Tanegashima Island on Wednesday with a satellite that will see the surroundings of black holes better than ever before.

H-2A

Black hole observatory launched from Japan

February 17, 2016 Stephen Clark

Japan launched a pioneering observatory with X-ray vision Wednesday to peer into the mysterious, light-starved neighborhoods around black holes and study the genesis of galaxies and other cosmic mega-structures billions of light-years from Earth.

H-2A

Live coverage: Japan’s H-2A rocket blasts off on first commercial flight

November 24, 2015 Stephen Clark

After a brief delay to chase away a boat from offshore waters, Japan’s H-2A rocket launched at 0650 GMT (1:50 a.m. EST) with the Telstar 12 Vantage telecom satellite. The launch from marks the first flight of an H-2A rocket with an upgraded upper stage, and the launcher’s first dedicated commercial mission.

H-2A

Sporting new upgrades, H-2A rocket readied for flight

November 23, 2015 Stephen Clark

A Japanese H-2A rocket is set for liftoff Tuesday on its first fully commercial mission, carrying a communications satellite for Telesat of Canada that will bridge the Atlantic Ocean with expanded coverage for television broadcasters and mobile users from Latin America to the Middle East.

Mission Reports

H-2B rocket launch sends supply shipment to space station

August 19, 2015 Stephen Clark

A cache of critical cargo stowed inside a solar-powered Japanese resupply freighter is speeding toward a rendezvous with the International Space Station after a successful launch Wednesday.

Mission Reports

Live coverage: Japanese cargo craft arrives at space station

August 19, 2015 Stephen Clark

An automated logistics vehicle packed with nearly five tons of supplies reached the International Space Station on Monday after a laser-guided rendezvous culminating with grapple of the HTV cargo craft by the station’s robotic arm at 1028 GMT (6:28 a.m. EDT).

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News Headlines

  • Blue Origin to add new Florida launch pads, seeks aggressive increase in New Glenn flight rate
    October 16, 2026
  • SpaceX launches a classified payload for U.S. Space Force
    October 15, 2026
  • SpaceX launches NASA science and cargo to the International Space Station
    October 13, 2026
  • Launch preview: NASA, SpaceX to launch new solar arrays, 6,300 pounds of cargo to the space station
    October 13, 2026
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 27 Starlink satellites from California
    October 12, 2026
  • SpaceX launches 21 data satellites for the Space Development Agency
    October 9, 2026
  • SpaceX scrubs launch attempt for 21 data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency
    October 4, 2026
  • Falcon Heavy flies its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency
    October 1, 2026
  • Fresh crew takes off for six-month stay aboard space station
    October 1, 2026
  • Launch preview: NASA, SpaceX launch next crewed mission to the International Space Station
    October 1, 2026
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