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

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 two-stage H3 is the successor to Japan's workhorse H-2A rocket, which retired last year after a total of 50 flights. A closeup of the H3's first stage powering the rocket to orbit on Aug. 10, 2026. (Image credit: JAXA)The H3 — which stands 187 feet o