Japan launches its first commercial Satellite Tuesday Nov 24,2015

 

A Japanese rocket lifted off on Tuesday Nov 24,2015 and successfully put the national space programme’s first commercial satellite into orbit, officials said, as Tokyo tries to enter a business dominated by European and Russian companies. 

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries oversaw the launch from Tanegashima Space Centre in southwest Japan.

The launch of the H-IIA rocket was originally scheduled at 3:23pm, but was delayed by roughly 30 minutes because a small ship unexpectedly came near the space station.

The rocket successfully launched at 3:50pm, carrying the TELSTAR 12V communications and broadcasting satellite for Canadian satellite operator Telesat.