Posted: Sat, Sep 24, 2011, 9:19 AM ET (1319 GMT)
An H-2 rocket successfully launched a Japanese spy satellite on Friday. The H-2A 202 lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 12:36 am EDT (0436 GMT, 1:36 pm local time) Friday, carrying the latest in Japan's series of Information Gathering Satellites (IGS), known as Optical-4. Japan has launched several IGS satellites designed to provide optical and radar imagery to support the country's national security, but has divulged few details about the spacecraft. The launch had been planned for August but was postponed because of a problem with a receiver in the rocket's range safety system.

Related Links:

•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  AFP article
•  UPI article
•  Kyodo News article