Japan Launches Satellite

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite “MICHIBIKI” by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18) at 8:17:00 p.m. on September 11, 2010 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center.

The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 28 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the MICHIBIKI was confirmed.

We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch of the H-IIA F18.

At the time of the launch, the weather was fine, a wind speed was 3.7 meters/second from the west-south-west and the temperature was 26.0 degrees Celsius.