TANEGASHIMA, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Tuesday, Japan’s space agency successfully launched its H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite. The flight, identified as H3 Flight No. 9, took off at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time from the Tanegashima Space Center. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, confirmed that the satellite was separated approximately 29 minutes and four seconds after liftoff. According to the agency, the rocket maintained its planned trajectory and successfully placed QZS-7 into its predetermined orbit.
The Michibiki No. 7 satellite is a component of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, known as QZSS. The satellite network offers positioning, navigation, and timing services that complement the U.S. Global Positioning System. Japan has been operating QZSS services since November 2018. The system serves the country and extends support to users across parts of the Asia-Oceania region. Oversight of the QZSS program falls under Japan’s Cabinet Office, managed through its National Space Policy Secretariat.
Originally, JAXA scheduled the launch of QZS-7 for Feb. 1, 2026. However, the launch was postponed following an investigation into the failure of H3 Flight No. 8 in December 2025. An update in February indicated that the mission would not proceed within the original launch window ending March 31. After another weather assessment, JAXA aimed for an Aug. 10 launch attempt. Weather conditions then caused the mission to be rescheduled to Aug. 11, when the rocket successfully completed its flight.
H3 mission marks recovery after previous setback
On Dec. 22, 2025, H3 Flight No. 8 launched Michibiki No. 5 from Tanegashima, but the mission ended in failure. JAXA reported that the second-stage engine did not execute its second ignition properly and shut down prematurely. As a result, QZS-5 was not deployed into its planned orbit. After this setback, Japan resumed H3 launches on June 12, 2026, with Flight No. 6. This test mission reached its intended orbit and deployed several small payloads.
The H3 serves as Japan’s flagship launch vehicle, replacing the H-IIA family. Its development involved collaboration between JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The first H3 test flight failed in March 2023 due to a second-stage engine ignition issue. A subsequent test in February 2024 was successful. The later H3 missions have launched government payloads, Earth observation satellites, and cargo spacecraft. Meanwhile, the H-IIA completed its final launch in June 2025 from Tanegashima, marking the end of an era.
Expansion of Japan’s navigation network with Michibiki
Designed to enhance satellite positioning coverage while maintaining compatibility with GPS, Japan’s QZSS utilizes satellites in quasi-zenith and geostationary orbits. Its services include positioning, navigation, timing, and various augmentation methods. In July, the Cabinet Office released updated performance data for a six-satellite operational phase following the activation of QZS-7, which reflects the loss of QZS-5 during the December launch failure.
Japan continues to pursue plans for a full seven-satellite QZSS constellation. Official technical documents released prior to Tuesday’s launch describe QZS-7 as part of the system’s latest expansion. The mission on Aug. 11 successfully achieved its immediate objectives, with JAXA confirming both the separation and insertion of the spacecraft into the designated orbit. The successful deployment of H3 Flight No. 9 adds another milestone to Japan’s current launch vehicle program, following the June success of the H3 test flight.