TANEGASHIMA, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Tuesday, Japan achieved a successful launch of its H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite. The launch, designated as H3 Flight No. 9, took off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, confirmed that the satellite separated approximately 29 minutes and four seconds after liftoff. According to the agency, the rocket adhered to its planned trajectory and placed QZS-7 into its intended orbit.
Michibiki No. 7 is part of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, known as QZSS. The satellite network provides services for positioning, navigation, and timing, functioning alongside the U.S. Global Positioning System. Japan has operated QZSS services since November 2018. The system primarily serves Japan but can also support users across parts of the Asia-Oceania region. Oversight of the QZSS program is handled by Japan’s Cabinet Office through its National Space Policy Secretariat.
Originally, JAXA scheduled the QZS-7 mission for Feb. 1, 2026. However, the launch was postponed while investigations into the failure of H3 Flight No. 8 in December 2025 were conducted. An update in February indicated that the mission would not proceed within the initial launch window that ends on March 31. Subsequently, JAXA planned a launch attempt for Aug. 10 after additional weather assessments, which was then shifted to Aug. 11 due to weather conditions, resulting in a successful flight.
H3 launch follows previous setback with a different mission
On Dec. 22, 2025, H3 Flight No. 8 launched Michibiki No. 5 from Tanegashima, but the mission ended in failure. JAXA explained that the second-stage engine did not ignite properly during its second attempt and shut down prematurely, preventing the satellite from reaching its planned orbit for QZS-5. After this setback, Japan resumed H3 launches on June 12, 2026, with Flight No. 6, which successfully reached its target orbit and deployed several small payloads.
The H3 has become Japan’s primary launch vehicle and replaces the H-IIA rocket series. Its development involved collaboration between JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The first test flight of the H3 failed in March 2023 when its second-stage engine failed to ignite. However, a subsequent test in February 2024 was successful. The H3 has since been used for missions carrying government payloads, Earth observation satellites, and cargo spacecraft. The H-IIA concluded its 50th and final launch in June 2025 from Tanegashima.
Expansion of Japan’s navigation network with Michibiki
Designed to enhance satellite positioning coverage while maintaining compatibility with GPS, Japan’s QZSS system employs satellites in quasi-zenith and geostationary orbits. Its services include positioning, navigation, timing, and various augmentation methods. Updated performance data was published in July by the Cabinet Office for a six-satellite operational phase following the start of QZS-7 operations, which accounts for the loss of QZS-5 in the December launch failure.
Japan remains committed to maintaining a seven-satellite constellation for QZSS. Official technical documentation released before Tuesday’s launch describes QZS-7 as part of the system’s latest expansion. The Aug. 11 mission achieved its immediate objectives, with JAXA confirming both the satellite separation and insertion into the planned orbit. The successful H3 Flight No. 9 also represents another milestone in Japan’s launch vehicle program, following the successful H3 test flight in June.