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 place 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 lift-off. Officials stated that the rocket followed its planned trajectory and placed QZS-7 into its designated orbit.
Michibiki No. 7 is a key component of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, known as QZSS. The satellite network offers positioning, navigation, and timing services that operate in conjunction with the U.S. Global Positioning System. Since November 2018, Japan has been providing QZSS services. The system primarily serves Japan but can also support users in various parts of the Asia-Oceania region. Oversight of the QZSS program is managed by Japan’s Cabinet Office through its National Space Policy Secretariat.
Originally, JAXA scheduled the launch of QZS-7 for Feb. 1, 2026. However, after investigating the failure of H3 Flight No. 8 in December 2025, officials postponed the mission. A February update indicated that the launch would not occur within the initial window ending on March 31. Following another weather review, an attempt was rescheduled for Aug. 10. Weather conditions then shifted the launch to Aug. 11, when the rocket successfully completed its mission.
H3 Launch Program Continues After Previous Setback
On Dec. 22, 2025, H3 Flight No. 8 launched Michibiki No. 5 from Tanegashima but did not succeed. JAXA explained that the second-stage engine failed to ignite normally during its second ignition and shut down prematurely. As a result, QZS-5 was not placed into its intended orbit. After this failure, Japan resumed H3 launches with Flight No. 6 on June 12, 2026. That mission successfully reached its target orbit and deployed several small payloads.
H3 now serves as Japan’s primary launch vehicle, replacing the H-IIA series. Development involved collaboration between JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The initial H3 test flight ended in March 2023 after the second-stage engine failed to ignite. A subsequent test in February 2024 was successful. Since then, H3 missions have carried government payloads, Earth observation equipment, and cargo. The H-IIA fleet completed its 50th and final launch in June 2025 from Tanegashima.
QZSS Expansion Enhances Japan’s Navigation Capabilities
Designed to augment satellite positioning coverage while maintaining compatibility with GPS, Japan’s QZSS utilizes satellites in quasi-zenith and geostationary orbits. Its services include positioning, navigation, and timing, along with various augmentation options. In July, the Cabinet Office released updated performance data for a six-satellite operational phase, which followed the launch of QZS-7. This phase accounts for the loss of QZS-5 during the December launch failure.
Japan maintains plans to establish a seven-satellite constellation for QZSS. Official technical documentation issued before Tuesday’s launch describes QZS-7 as an integral part of the system’s latest expansion. The successful execution of the Aug. 11 mission confirmed both satellite separation and proper insertion into the planned orbit. The successful H3 Flight No. 9 adds another milestone to Japan’s launch vehicle program, following the successful H3 test flight in June.