The report comes from Aerospace & Defense Industries via Nikkei, with broader context on Japan’s space program.

Breaking: Japan's space agency says the H3 rocket failed to place Michibiki 5 into its planned orbit, marking a setback after a troubled 2023 debut and six prior successful flights.

A government task force has been formed to investigate the anomaly and determine the next steps for the QZSS program.

Michibiki operates as Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, designed to improve location data for consumer services and to provide critical information during disasters.

The failure casts doubt on the project’s reliability and its competitiveness in the global market.

At this stage it’s unclear whether Michibiki-5 separated or where it ended up, prompting the task force to restore credibility.

Michibiki is designed to provide high-visibility coverage by transmitting signals from near-zenith positions, reducing terrain and building interference.

Officials apologized, and the science ministry pledged a full investigation into the causes of the failure.

QZSS functions alongside foreign navigation networks and can issue evacuation orders during tsunamis or heavy rainfall.

JAXA intends a total of 11 geolocation satellites to ensure redundancy and broaden coverage, with a seven-orbiter plan to keep at least one satellite above Japan.

ISRO’s countdown to a Christmas Eve LVM3/M6 mission from AST SpaceMobile underscores ongoing regional space activity.

QZSS aims to expand its user base across Asia-Oceania as deployment progresses.