TANEGASHIMA, KAGOSHIMA PREF. A rocket blasted off successfully Thursday morning carrying a backup optical satellite for the governments 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.

See the original post:
Japan launches replacement intelligence satellite

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