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1st LD: Japan launches X-band defense communications satellite

Xinhua, January 24, 2017 Adjust font size:

Japan launched an X-band defense communication satellite on Tuesday for the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. launched the X-band defense communication satellite-2 aboard the H-2A Launch Vehicle No.32 at 4:44 p.m. local time on Tuesday from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center in Japan's southwestern Kagoshima prefecture.

The Kirameki-2 satellite is the first communications satellite for the Japanese Ministry of Defense, which shoulders the mission to upgrade the Self-Defense Forces' communications network.

The Kirameki-2 satellite, operating with X-band technology, is one of three defense communications satellites which will replace three civilian satellites used by the Self-Defense Forces at present.

The new satellites will facilitate direct communications among units of the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces through a high-speed and high-capacity network and serve as a communications infrastructure, local media quoted Defense Ministry officials as saying on Tuesday. Endit