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| Japan launches new spy satellite | Japan launches new spy satellite |
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| Japan has launched a rocket carrying its third spy satellite, increasing its ability to monitor North Korea. | Japan has launched a rocket carrying its third spy satellite, increasing its ability to monitor North Korea. |
| Japan's space agency, Jaxa, launched the H2-A rocket from the southern island of Tanegashima. | Japan's space agency, Jaxa, launched the H2-A rocket from the southern island of Tanegashima. |
| Japan has two spy satellites already in orbit. Two others were lost when a rocket failed in November 2003. | Japan has two spy satellites already in orbit. Two others were lost when a rocket failed in November 2003. |
| Japan began its intelligence-gathering satellite programme following North Korea's test launch of a long-range missile that flew over Japan in 1998. | Japan began its intelligence-gathering satellite programme following North Korea's test launch of a long-range missile that flew over Japan in 1998. |
| This launch follows a series of missile tests by Pyongyang in July, which included a new weapon, the Taepodong-2, which is potentially capable of hitting parts of the United States. | |
| The rocket lifted off from Japan's space centre at 1335 local time (0435 GMT). | |
| Shortly afterwards, the satellite separated successfully from the rocket, officials said. | |
| The optical satellite will be able to distinguish objects such as cars on the ground, Kyodo news agency said. | |
| A radar satellite is scheduled for launch later this year. |