[Breaking News]Japan H3 rocket mission fails

MINAMITANE, Japan, Dec. 22 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with a Michibiki No. 5 satellite in its payload. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)

H3 rocket launch canceled

MINAMITANE, Japan, Dec. 17 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction. (Kyodo)

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Makoto Arita attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Makoto Arita attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Vice President Masashi Okada attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025, shows smoke billowing from the Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite after liftoff from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff.

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with a Michibiki No. 5 satellite in its payload. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows the liftoff of a Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki aboard is launched into space from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010.

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki aboard is launched into space from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010.

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki aboard is launched into space from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010.

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki aboard is launched into space from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010.

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - People watch as the HIIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki arrives at the launch pad at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010.

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - People watch as the H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki is moved to the launch pad at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010.

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.

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki aboard is launched into space from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010. (Kyodo)

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki aboard is launched into space from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010. (Kyodo)

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - People watch as the H2A Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki is moved to the launch pad at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010. (Kyodo)

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

Michibiki to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - People watch as the HIIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 with the first quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki arrives at the launch pad at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2010. (Kyodo)

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

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

The Michibiki No. 3 satellite, the third of Japan's new quasi-zenith satellites, is launched on an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 19, 2017, with the aim of improving the accuracy of available global positioning data. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

The Michibiki No. 3 satellite, the third of Japan's new quasi-zenith satellites, is launched on an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 19, 2017, with the aim of improving the accuracy of available global positioning data. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

The Michibiki No. 3 satellite, the third of Japan's new quasi-zenith satellites, is launched on an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 19, 2017, with the aim of improving the accuracy of available global positioning data. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Japan successfully launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Yoshimasa Hayashi (R), Japan's minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, speaks at a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 19, 2017, after the Michibiki No. 3 satellite aimed at improving the accuracy of available global positioning data was successfully launched. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Japan launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

The Michibiki No. 3 satellite, the third of Japan's new quasi-zenith satellites, is launched on an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 19, 2017, with the aim of improving the accuracy of available global positioning data. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

Japan launches 3rd satellite of new GPS constellation

The Michibiki No. 3 satellite, the third of Japan's new quasi-zenith satellites, is launched on an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, with the aim of improving the accuracy of available global positioning data. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan again delays launch of 3rd GPS satellite due to system glitch

Japan again delays launch of 3rd GPS satellite due to system glitch

An H-2A rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 3 satellite remains on the launch pad at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 12, 2017, after its launch was postponed for the second time. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan to enhance GPS services with launch of 3rd satellite in Aug.

Japan to enhance GPS services with launch of 3rd satellite in Aug.

Japan's quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki No. 3 is unveiled at a facility of Mitsubishi Electric Corp. in Kamakura, southwest of Tokyo, on June 15, 2017. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will be put it into orbit in Aug. 11 to enhance the precision of Japan's global positioning system, followed by another satellite to be launched later this year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan puts 2nd satellite into orbit to enhance GPS

Japan puts 2nd satellite into orbit to enhance GPS

Yosuke Tsuruho (C), Japan's state minister for space policy, speaks at a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 1, 2017. An H-2A rocket carrying the quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki No. 2 was launched to enhance the precision of Japan's global positioning system used in smartphones and car navigation equipment. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 2nd satellite to improve GPS services

Japan launches 2nd satellite to improve GPS services

An H-2A rocket carrying the quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki No. 2 is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 1, 2017, with the aim of enhancing the precision of the country's global positioning system used in smartphones and car navigation equipment, following the first satellite sent up in 2010. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 2nd satellite to improve GPS services

Japan launches 2nd satellite to improve GPS services

An H-2A rocket carrying the quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki No. 2 is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 1, 2017, with the aim of enhancing the precision of the country's global positioning system used in smartphones and car navigation equipment, following the first satellite sent up in 2010. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan launches 2nd satellite to improve GPS services

Japan launches 2nd satellite to improve GPS services

An H-2A rocket carrying the quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki No. 2 is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 1, 2017, with the aim of enhancing the precision of the country's global positioning system used in smartphones and car navigation equipment, following the first satellite sent up in 2010. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo