TANEGASHIMA, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Tuesday, Japan successfully launched its H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite. The launch, designated 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, verified the separation of the satellite approximately 29 minutes and four seconds post-liftoff. According to the agency, the rocket adhered to its planned trajectory and successfully placed QZS-7 into its designated orbit.
Michibiki No. 7 is an integral part of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, known as QZSS. The satellite network provides positioning, navigation, and timing services that complement the U.S. Global Positioning System. Japan has been operating QZSS services since November 2018. The system primarily serves Japan but also offers support to users across 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 QZS-7 mission for Feb. 1, 2026. However, the launch was postponed while investigations into the December 2025 failure of H3 Flight No. 8 took place. An update in February indicated that the mission would not proceed during the initial launch window ending on March 31. After additional weather assessments, JAXA rescheduled the attempt for Aug. 10. Weather conditions then shifted the launch to Aug. 11, when the rocket successfully completed its flight.
H3 mission builds on previous launch setbacks
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 ignition and shut down prematurely. As a result, QZS-5 was not placed into its intended orbit. The H3 returned to flight on June 12, 2026, with Flight No. 6, which successfully reached its target orbit and deployed multiple small payloads.
The H3 serves as Japan’s flagship launch vehicle, replacing the H-IIA rocket family. Its development was a joint effort between JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The initial test flight in March 2023 failed when the second-stage engine failed to ignite. However, a subsequent test in February 2024 was successful. Since then, H3 missions have included launches of 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 through Michibiki
Designed to enhance satellite positioning coverage while maintaining compatibility with GPS, Japan’s QZSS uses satellites in quasi-zenith and geostationary orbits. Its services encompass positioning, navigation, and timing, along with various forms of augmentation. In July, the Cabinet Office released updated performance data for a six-satellite operational phase following the launch of QZS-7. This phase reflects the satellite constellation after the loss of QZS-5 during the December launch failure.
Japan remains committed to maintaining a seven-satellite constellation for QZSS. Official technical documentation released prior to Tuesday’s launch describes QZS-7 as part of the system’s latest expansion. The Aug. 11 mission successfully achieved its immediate objectives, with JAXA confirming both the separation of the spacecraft and their insertion into the planned orbit. The successful launch of H3 Flight No. 9 adds another mission to Japan’s current launch vehicle program, following the success of the H3 test flight in June.