Japan is gearing up for its first space mission of the year, set for Sunday, February 2. The H3 rocket will blast off from Tanegashima Space Center within a two-hour launch window starting at 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 GMT, 5:30 p.m. local time).

This will be the fifth flight for the H3, a two-stage rocket built by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It was designed to replace the older H-2A model, which has been Japan’s go-to workhorse for years.

The H3 had a rough start, failing its first mission in March 2023 and losing an Earth-observing satellite. But the past three launches were all successful, proving the rocket is back on track.

This time, the rocket will be carrying Michibiki 6, a 10,800-pound (4,900-kilogram) satellite. Once in orbit, it will join Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which has been operational since 2018.

The system works with GPS satellites, helping improve positioning accuracy in Japan and nearby regions. Officials say the QZSS will also expand its coverage to other countries in Asia and Oceania.

Japan had seven orbital launches in 2024, and this mission kicks off its 2025 spaceflight schedule. If you want to watch the launch, JAXA will be streaming it live, with coverage starting 40 minutes before liftoff.

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