A strategic moment for Japanese space development occurred when Michibiki 6 launched from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard the H3 rocket on February 2, 2025. A rocket launched from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center south-west of Japan began an important segment in the country’s attempt to build an independent high-precision global positioning system.
The H3 rocket launched successfully while Michibiki 6 satellite separated from the vehicle according to schedule at minute 29 after lift off. Makoto Arita who manages the H3 project at JAXA officially declared that the mission succeeded. The spaceflight will require two weeks for the satellite to accomplish its designated geospatial orbit.
The newly launched Michibiki 6 satellite will become part of the operating Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) network that Japan introduced in 2018. Japan’s QZSS will reach five-operational satellites through this addition to provide superior positioning precision for mobile devices alongside vehicles and unmanned flying systems and maritime navigation systems. Japan plans to deploy seven satellites before 2026 in order to decrease dependence on global positioning systems such as U.S. GPS. The government predicts the deployment of an 11-satellite network during the late 2030s. 
The fourth successful H3 rocket mission follows a past failure which occurred at the beginning of 2023. Japan sees an operating space transport system combined with competitive services as essential for defending its security and succeeding in the worldwide satellite launch business. The H3 series along with the Epsilon system will fulfill various customer requirements as Japan seeks to strengthen its position in space technology.
