Japan launched a flagship rocket with a military satellite (video).

On Monday, November 4, Japan successfully launched a new H3 rocket along with a Ministry of Defense communication satellite. This is the third rocket launch following an unsuccessful debut in 2023. The H3 complex is the successor to the H2A rocket, which has served for more than 20 years and will be retired after the final launch by the end of March. The defense satellite will be placed in orbit at an altitude of about 36,000 kilometers along with two already operational satellites and will serve to enhance communication in the country's Self-Defense Forces. The H3 rocket was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. at the Tanegashima launch center in Kagoshima Prefecture. The launch was delayed several times due to bad weather and other reasons. Earlier, the H3 was launched in March 2023 but was destroyed due to an engine failure. It is noted that competition in the space launch market intensified after the emergence of the American company SpaceX with its revolutionary technologies and experience in rocket launches.

In September, Japan also successfully launched an H-IIA rocket with the IGS Radar 8 reconnaissance satellite. The launch took place from the Tanegashima space center at 14:24 Japanese time.