The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has successfully launched the IGS-Optical 8 reconnaissance satellite into orbit.

It was reported by the official website of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The launch of the H-2A rocket took place from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex, the Tanegashima Space Center, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, on January 12, 2024 at 04:44:26 local time.

The rocket successfully launched the IGS-Optical 8 satellite that has become the seventh generation of satellites of this type. IGS-Optical satellites are used by the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan for gathering relevant intelligence.

First of all, the satellite should collect intelligence from the Korean peninsula that will help monitor missile tests of the DPRK and the development of military infrastructure.

Currently, Japan has eight IGS satellites that are used in two configurations: optical data collection (IGS-Optical) and radar (IGS-Radar).

The launch of the new satellite will replace one of the older models that are currently preparing for decommissioning.

The Japanese government began developing domestic reconnaissance satellites in 1998 after the DPRK began testing Taepodong-1 ballistic missiles.

In addition, the use of information provided by the United States had a severe delay, as well as a cost that amounted to more than $10 thousand per image.

The launch of the first generation of IGS-Optical/Radar satellites took place on March 28, 2003.

As Militarnyi reported earlier, North Korean state media reported the successful use of a new spy satellite.

The DPRK propaganda reported that Kim Jong Un viewed satellite images of the White House, the Pentagon and American aircraft carriers at Naval Station Norfolk.