Japan launched spy satellite to monitor North Korea’s nuclear and missile sites
TOKYO, (BM) – Japan on Sunday launched the new Optical 7 reconnaissance satellite from Tanegashima Cosmodrome in southwestern Kagoshima Prefecture. This was announced by the developer of the orbiter Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
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The launch was originally scheduled for January 27, but it was delayed twice due to bad weather conditions and technical problems associated with the nitrogen supply system of the H-2A launch vehicle.
The Optical 7 satellite is equipped with a highly efficient camera and is capable of taking pictures of the Earth’s surface in bad weather and at night. The cost of its development amounted to 30 billion yen ($ 274 million).
More detailed information about the satellite is not available, since its work is related to national security. In particular, it is assumed that he will collect intelligence related to the DPRK.
At the same time, it is planned to use it in the aftermath of the consequences of possible natural disasters.
To manage it, as well as receive data, will be the Ministry of Defense of Japan. The last time the launch of such a satellite was carried out in the summer of 2018.
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Now in orbit are seven Japanese reconnaissance satellites with various capabilities. Only some of them are capable of transmitting information in bad weather. However, this is enough to take pictures once a day. Over the coming years, Japan expects to increase this constellation to ten satellites, which will make it possible to remove the Earth’s surface more often.
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