A rocket blasted off successfully Thursday morning carrying a backup optical satellite for the government's intelligence gathering program.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. launched the H-IIA rocket at 10:21 a.m. from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The satellite is described as an advanced ground-monitoring device. Currently, Japan has two radar satellites and two optical satellites in operation, which are able to collect images of any point on the ground at least once a day.
The latest satellite will replace one of the two optical satellites, which was launched in 2009.
The device was developed at a cost of ¥32.5 billion, according to the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center.
The images and related information obtained by the satellite will not be publicly released as they are designated as state secrets under a law that took effect last year.