Japan launches a new generation reconnaissance satellite into orbit

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has successfully launched and placed a new generation reconnaissance satellite into orbit.

Mitsubishi reported about this on the official website.

The H-2F-48 launch vehicle was launched from the Yoshinobu launch complex of the Tanegashima Space Center, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, on September 26, 2024.

The payload of the rocket consisted of a new generation reconnaissance satellite – “IGS-Radar 8” by Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO).

The new satellite will improve Japan’s intelligence capabilities, including gathering information on the military activities of North Korea and China.

In addition, the IGS-Radar 8 satellite will operate in tandem with the IGS-Optical 8 optical satellite, which was launched on January 12, 2024.

Currently, Japan has eight IGS satellites in orbit in two configurations: for optical data collection (IGS-Optical) and radar surveillance (IGS-Radar).

The development of reconnaissance satellites in Japan began in 1998, after the DPRK tested Taepodong-1 ballistic missiles.

In addition, the use of information provided by the United States was subject to a long delay and cost more than $10,000 per image.

The first generation of IGS-Optical/Radar satellites was launched on March 28, 2003.

Militarnyi previously reported that France had successfully tested a laser for communication between the Unseenlabs’ low-orbit nanosatellite and a commercial ground station.

The satellite with the laser payload established stable communication with the optical ground station, which lasted several minutes.