TANEGASHIMA, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Tuesday, Japan successfully executed the launch of its H3 rocket, which carried the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into space. The mission, identified as H3 Flight No. 9, took off from the Tanegashima Space Center precisely at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time, with JAXA confirming that the rocket maintained its planned trajectory throughout the operation. The satellite detached approximately 29 minutes after liftoff and reached its designated orbit as scheduled.
The satellite known as Michibiki No. 7, also referred to as QZS-7, is an addition to Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, a network functioning alongside the U.S. Global Positioning System to enhance positioning, navigation, and timing services. Japan started providing operational QZSS services in November 2018, with coverage extending across Japan and supporting users throughout parts of the broader Asia-Oceania region.
The QZSS program is overseen by Japan’s Cabinet Office through the National Space Policy Secretariat. Originally, officials had scheduled the launch of QZS-7 for February 2026, but it was postponed following an earlier failure during an H3 mission. Subsequently, JAXA announced a new launch date for August 10 after completing additional preparations, but weather conditions led to the lift-off being rescheduled to August 11, when the rocket successfully completed its mission.
H3 completes another successful mission after setbacks
This achievement followed the loss of Michibiki No. 5 during the previous H3 Flight No. 8 in December 2025, when the rocket’s second-stage engine shut down before executing its second ignition sequence as planned, preventing QZS-5 from reaching its intended orbit. JAXA conducted an investigation into this failure before resuming H3 launches, which included a successful test mission in June 2026.
H3 Flight No. 6 launched on June 12 and successfully reached its intended orbit, marking a return-to-flight milestone. The mission also involved deploying several small payloads for testing purposes. The H3 serves as Japan’s primary launch vehicle, replacing the long-standing H-IIA rocket family, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, as part of Japan’s efforts to expand its domestic launch capabilities.
Deployment of Michibiki enhances Japan’s satellite navigation infrastructure
Designed to bolster satellite positioning coverage while ensuring compatibility with GPS, Japan’s QZSS constellation employs satellites in quasi-zenith and geostationary orbits, offering services related to positioning, navigation, timing, and various augmentation functions within its operational area. The Cabinet Office provided updated technical details in July concerning operations under a six-satellite configuration, which includes QZS-7.
Additionally, Japan continues to pursue plans for a full seven-satellite QZSS constellation as part of its official satellite navigation program, with QZS-7 being a key element of the ongoing network expansion. Tuesday’s launch successfully achieved its immediate mission objectives, placing the spacecraft into its intended orbit, and marked another milestone in the H3 program following the vehicle’s return to flight in June, confirming the system’s steady progress.