Post: Japan Launches Advanced Earth Observation Satellite

Japan deployed today an upgraded Earth observation satellite for disaster response and security after it was launched on a new flagship H3 rocket. The H3 No. 3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island and released its payload about 16 minutes later as planned, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said. The Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS-4) is tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking. It is also capable of monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry. The launch was initially planned for Sunday but was delayed due to bad weather at the launch site. Source: Qatar News Agency