Tengrinews.kz – Japan successfully launched its military communications satellite, Kirameki 3, into orbit, citing Spacenews.com.
The satellite was deployed using Japan's new H3 rocket as part of the nation’s self-defense strategy. This marked the H3’s fourth mission. According to Spacenews, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ H3 rocket lifted off at 1:48 a.m. ET on November 4 from Tanegashima Space Center, through dense clouds and rain. The classified Kirameki 3 satellite reached orbit approximately 29 minutes after launch and is now en route to its destination in geostationary orbit.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) livestreamed the launch. The two-stage H3 rocket, designed to replace the H-2A, will serve both civilian and military missions, including reconnaissance and resupply operations to the International Space Station (ISS) using the HTV-X cargo spacecraft.
