Japan launches DSN-3 satellite

Japan launched a defence spacecraft on Monday on its new flagship H3 rocket, aimed at speedier military operations and communication amid rising tensions with China, North Korea and Rusia

H3 rocket: Lifted off from Tanegashima Space Centre on southwestern Japanese island 

DSN-3 payload

DSN-3: Known as Kirameki-3, is geostationary communications satellite

Kirameki-3’s payload is triple X-band which enables beyond line of sight high-speed, large-capacity data transmission and communication across Japan’s Ground, Maritime and Air Force

Kirameki-3 will monitor North Korean missile activity

Second Stage: LE-5B-3 engine uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants

Lift-off: Five minutes and 27 seconds into flight, command is sent to rocket for stage separation and second-stage ignition - satellite separates about 30 minutes after lift-off

First stage: Powered by twin LE-9 liquid hydrogen and oxygen- fuelled engines

Solid-fuel boosters: Two to four boosters can each provide 2,158 kilonewtons of thrust

LE-9 engines: Thrust of 1,471 kilonewtons each

HOKKAIDO
Sea of Japan (East Sea)
JAPAN
Tokyo
Tanegashima
Space Centre
500km  310 miles
PACIFIC OCEAN

Source: Associated Press, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 


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