In the short span of one month, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has successfully launched three rockets, each carrying a satellite. This success has increased trust in JAXA's technological capability, raising Japan's hopes of entering the commercial rocket business.
On Jan. 24, the H2A No. 8 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture and placed the Advanced Land Observing Satellite, nicknamed Daichi (Earth), into orbit. This was followed by the Feb. 18 launch, from the same space center, of the H2A No. 9 rocket, which sent the Multifunctional Transport Satellite 2 for weather observation and air traffic control into orbit.
Most recently, on Feb. 22, an M5 No. 8 rocket blasted off from the Uchinoura Space Center, also in Kagoshima Prefecture, at 6:28 a.m. Two hours later, it was confirmed that the ASTRO-F satellite for infrared astronomical observation had entered orbit, with its solar cell panel spread.