Japan has launched a domestically produced H-2A rocket carrying a No.4 radar satellite and an optical probe for intelligence gathering. The launch occurred Sunday at the Tenegashima space center. Once the radar satellite begins full operation in April, Japan will have two radar and two optical satellites, enabling it to observe any point on the ground at least once a day.

A Japanese H-2A rocket carrying an information-gathering radar satellite blasts off from its island launch pad at Tanegashima Space Center (Photo: Kyodo via Reuters)