Japan launched a new spy satellite into orbit on Friday, officials said, in its latest effort to beef up surveillance against the threat of North Korean missiles. The Japanese H-2A rocket carrying a new information-gathering optical satellite lifted off at 1.36pm (12.36pm) from the Tanegashima Space Center in south-western Japan. Read more
According to the delayed launch briefing 12:30 - 14:14, 17 September, 2011, held by the Group Chief Technology Aerospace Development Agency: A planned launch on the 18th September of the H2A rocket No. 19 (No. 4), with the Optical Information Gathering Satellite, was postponed because of bad weather forecasts. A new launch date will be announced once it is determined.
Delayed launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 19 (No. 4) with the optical information-gathering satellite
Aerospace Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, H Unit 4 rocket 19 (H-IIA - F19) with the optical information-gathering satellite-IIA was scheduled for launch on the 28th August, 2011, from the Tanegashima Space Centre, but the H-IIA rocket onboard command destruct receiver(1) was found to be non-compliant, and JAXA have decided to postpone the launch. A new date for launch will be announced once determined.
(1)A device that receives signals from a ground station command destruct