January 12, 2024 01:11 pm | Updated 01:11 pm IST - TOKYOJapan launched a rocket carrying a government intelligence-gathering satellite on January 12 on a mission to watch movements at military sites in North Korea and improve responses to natural disasters. The H2A rocket, launched by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, carrying the optical satellite as part of Tokyo’s reconnaissance effort to rapidly build-up its military capability. Also read | North Korea to launch three new spy satellites, build more nuclear weapons in 2024The satellite can capture images even in severe weather. Japan began the intelligence-gathering satellite programme after a North Korean missile flew over Japan in 1988 and it aims to set up a network of 10 satellites to spot and provide early warning for possible missile launches. The Mitsubishi Heavy-operated, liquid-fuel H2A rocket with two solid-fuel sub-rockets has 41 consecutive successes since a failure in 2003, with a 98% success rate.

Source: The Hindu January 12, 2024 15:21 UTC