Japan has launched a radar-type reconnaissance satellite aboard an H-IIA rocket. The satellite was launched for the country’s military and will be used to monitor North Korean military facilities. The satellite will also be used for disaster management.
The H-IIA rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on Tuesday, June 12 at 04:20 GMT (13:20 local time). Although much of the satellite’s operating conditions are classified, officials did confirm that the satellite was deployed successfully and was operating nominally.
The new satellite will join four other radar-type reconnaissance satellites currently in operation. Japan also operates 2 optical reconnaissance satellites. The country is planning on further increasing their fleet in the coming years.
