Japan has launched a new satellite into orbit to replace the first quasi-zenith satellite.

The satellite has been providing accurate global positioning data for services such as autonomous driving cars and flying drones.

Loaded in an H-2A rocket, the new satellite was launched at 11:19 a.m. local time on Tuesday from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

The launch was initially scheduled for October 25 but was put off due to bad weather.

Produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., the successor will replace the Michibiki No. 1 satellite, launched in 2010 and has reached the end of its design life.

It will be used in conjunction with the three previously launched Michibiki satellites and complement the existing U.S. satellite network.

The Japanese government seeks to increase the number of satellites in orbit to seven in fiscal 2023, aiming to strengthen “Japanese GPS” with more accurate global positioning system services.

The H-2A rocket carrying the satellite is 53-metre long and weighed about 290 tonnes at launch. 

Meanwhile, Nigeria has sponsored or co-sponsored six satellites, of which only two are currently operational. 

Nigeria currently has a communication satellite, NigComSat-1R, and an Earth observation satellite, NigeriaSat-2, in operation. One of them, the earth observation satellite, is functioning even though it has passed its expiry date (2011-2018).

Operationally, a satellite expires when any of its critical components suffers enough damage or is degraded to the point of causing system or major sub-system failure.

(NAN)