Japan puts successor to aging GPS-improving satellite into orbit

Japan successfully launched into orbit on Tuesday a replacement for its aging first-ever quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and drones. The new satellite produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will replace the Michibiki No. 1 satellite, which was launched in 2010 and has reached the end of its design life. The new satellite will work with three previously launched Michibiki satellites and complement the existing U.S. satellite network. An H-2A rocket carrying the satellite lifted off at 11:19 a.m. from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The satellite entered into the planned orbit about 30 minutes after the launch.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an H-2A rocket being launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

An H-2A rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

An H-2A rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an H-2A rocket being launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an H-2A rocket being launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

An H-2A rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

Japan launches successor to aging GPS-improving satellite

An H-2A rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2021. The rocket carries a successor to Japan's aging quasi-zenith satellite, which has been working to provide accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Scientists clap their hands after an H-2A rocket carrying Japan's fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite, the Michibiki No. 4, was successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 10, 2017. The satellite, part of a new system aimed at improving the accuracy of global positioning system data for a range of applications, including smartphones and vehicle navigation systems, was placed in orbit, the government said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

An H-2A rocket carrying Japan's fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite, the Michibiki No. 4, ascends into the sky after being launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 10, 2017. The satellite, part of a new system aimed at improving the accuracy of global positioning system data for a range of applications, including smartphones and vehicle navigation systems, was successfully placed in orbit, the government said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

An H-2A rocket carrying Japan's fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite, the Michibiki No. 4, lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 10, 2017. The satellite, aiming at creating a new system to improve the accuracy of global positioning system data for a range of applications, including smartphones and vehicle navigation systems, was successfully placed in orbit, the government said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

An H-2A rocket carrying Japan's fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite, the Michibiki No. 4, lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 10, 2017. The satellite, aiming at creating a new system to improve the accuracy of global positioning system data for a range of applications, including smartphones and vehicle navigation systems, was successfully placed in orbit, the government said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

An H-2A rocket carrying Japan's fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite, the Michibiki No. 4, lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 10, 2017. The satellite, aiming at creating a new system to improve the accuracy of global positioning system data for a range of applications, including smartphones and vehicle navigation systems, was successfully placed in orbit, the government said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

Japan launches 4th GPS-improving quasi-zenith satellite

An H-2A rocket carrying Japan's fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite, the Michibiki No. 4, lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 10, 2017. The satellite, aiming at creating a new system to improve the accuracy of global positioning system data for a range of applications, including smartphones and vehicle navigation systems, was successfully placed in orbit, the government said. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo