Japan’s first military communications satellite was launched on Tuesday afternoon from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The launch of Kirameki-2 satellite, conducted within the program of modernization of the Self-Defense Forces’ ability to improve dealing with security challenges, was broadcast online via Internet.
Kirameki-2 satellite will replace three civilian ones, which, at present, are being exploited by the Self-Defense Forces.
New military satellites will ensure direct high-speed communication between the units of Japan Ground, Naval and Air Self-Defense Forces. Necessity to use military satellites was conditioned by the government’s efforts to improve the communication infrastructure amid nuclear and military threats on the part of North Korea.
