Japanese H3 rocket launches 10,800-pound navigation satellite to high Earth orbit (video)

Japan's H3 rocket flew for the ninth time ever this afternoon (Aug. 10).The H3 lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center today at 3:23 p.m. EDT (1923 GMT; 4:23 a.m. on Aug. 11 local time), carrying the Michibiki 7 navigation satellite aloft.The H3's upper stage deployed Michibiki 7 into its target orbit 29 minutes later, eliciting cheers from the folks in mission control.A closeup of the H3's first stage powering the rocket to orbit on Aug. 10, 2026. (Image credit: JAXA)The two-stage H3 is the su