First Japanese rocket with commercial payload launched
Posted November 24, 2015 6:00 am
TOKYO (AP) - The first Japanese rocket with a commercial payload headed into space Tuesday in a bid by Japan to enter the market for international satellite launches.
The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rocket took off at 3:50 p.m. from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launch pad on the island of Tanegashima, off Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu.
It is carrying a broadcast and telecommunications satellite for Canadian company Telesat.
The launch was delayed for about 30 minutes because a boat entered a restricted zone.
The rocket is an improved version of early models that Japan hopes will make it more competitive in the satellite launch market.
A Japanese H-2A rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Tanegashima, off Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. The first Japanese rocket with a commercial payload is heading into space. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rocket was launched Tuesday from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launch pad. (Ryosuke Uematsu/Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Visitors to Space Museum TeNQ watch a live TV broadcast a lift-off of a Japanese H-2A rocket in Tokyo, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. The first Japanese rocket with a commercial payload is heading into space. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rocket was launched Tuesday from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launch pad. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
A Japanese H-2A rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Tanegashima, off Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. The first Japanese rocket with a commercial payload is heading into space. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rocket was launched Tuesday from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launch pad. (Ryosuke Uematsu/Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Visitors to Space Museum TeNQ wait for the start of a live TV broadcast a lift-off of a Japanese H-2A rocket in Tokyo, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. The first Japanese rocket with a commercial payload is heading into space. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rocket was launched Tuesday from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launch pad. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Associated Press
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