Japan's fourth H2A booster was launched from Tanegshima on 14 December, placing the country's ADEOS2 Earth observation satellite (pictured) into sun-synchronous orbit along with three microsatellites, Australia's FedSAT and two from Japan. At 3,700kg (8,160lb), ADEOS 2 is the heaviest satellite launched by a Japanese rocket. FedSAT is the first foreign satellite to be launched by the H2A and the first Australian-built satellite to fly in 35 years. The fifth H2A booster will fly Japan's first military reconnaissance satellite in February.

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Source: Flight International