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November 29, 2009
Japan has launched a rocket carrying a satellite to spy on North Korean military sites and other locations.
The H-2A No. 16 rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture on Saturday, and was confirmed to have reached orbit soon after.
It was Japan's 10th consecutive successful launch of an H-2A rocket and the 15th successful launch overall.
The new satellite, the third of its kind, carries the most advanced high-resolution imaging equipment of all Japan's intelligence-gathering satellites.
With a high-quality digital telecamera, it can identify objects on the ground as small as 60cm in size. Previous satellites could only see objects at least 1m in size.
The total cost of the satellite, including its launch, is about 58 billion yen ($733.5 million).
Japan operates two optical intelligence satellites, which take high-precision images in clear daylight weather, and one radar satellite, which can detect objects through clouds and at night.
But to monitor different spots daily, two optical satellites and two radar satellites are needed. Such a system is expected to be ready in 2011.
AP
Satellite launched to spy on North Korea
Japan has launched a rocket carrying a satellite to spy on North Korean military sites and other locations.
The H-2A No. 16 rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture on Saturday, and was confirmed to have reached orbit soon after.
It was Japan's 10th consecutive successful launch of an H-2A rocket and the 15th successful launch overall.
The new satellite, the third of its kind, carries the most advanced high-resolution imaging equipment of all Japan's intelligence-gathering satellites.
With a high-quality digital telecamera, it can identify objects on the ground as small as 60cm in size. Previous satellites could only see objects at least 1m in size.
The total cost of the satellite, including its launch, is about 58 billion yen ($733.5 million).
Japan operates two optical intelligence satellites, which take high-precision images in clear daylight weather, and one radar satellite, which can detect objects through clouds and at night.
But to monitor different spots daily, two optical satellites and two radar satellites are needed. Such a system is expected to be ready in 2011.
AP
Satellite launched to spy on North Korea
