Japan's flagship H3 rocket successfully places satellite into orbit

Japan's new flagship H3 rocket has successfully placed an Earth observation satellite into orbit in its third launch. The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima on Monday.

The H3 let go of its booster rockets and first-stage engine before it released the satellite, Daichi-4, in the scheduled orbit about 17 minutes after liftoff.

Daichi-4, which utilizes radar technology, is expected to be used in observing damage caused by disasters and for swift detection of abnormal changes related to volcanic activity. The H3 rocket is being developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.