Jul 01, Kathmandu- Japan has successfully launched H-3 rocket on Monday. According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the "H-3" rocket took off from the Tanegashima space center on the southwestern Japanese island and after about 16 minutes, its "payload" was placed in the target orbit.

The Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS-4) is mainly tasked with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapping, including volcanic and seismic activity and other geo-activities.

It is also capable of monitoring military activities such as missile launches with infrared sensors developed by the Ministry of Defence.

JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa said that Monday's successful launch was the "first major step" in the direction of ensuring Japan's access to space and international competitiveness. "I am confident that two consecutive successful flights will gain confidence from within and outside the country.

Makoto Arita, the H-3 project manager of JAXA, said that this mission was almost completely successful.

ALOS-4 is the successor to the current ALOS-2 and it can observe a much wider area. Japan will continue both flights for the time being.

This was the third launch of the H-3 system after the successful launch on February 17. JAXA's spectacularly unsuccessful first rocket trip a year ago had to be destroyed with a rocket 'payload'.