“However, the second stage engine\u2019s second ignition failed to start normally and shut down prematurely,” officials with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA<\/a>) said in a statement early Monay morning<\/a> (Dec. 22). “As a result, QZS-5 could not be put into the planned orbit, and the launch failed.”<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n \n The H3 rises into the sky on Dec. 21, 2025. (Image credit: JAXA)<\/p>\n The 10,580-pound (4,800 kilograms) <\/strong>Michibiki 5 was supposed to be part of Japan’s homegrown Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a navigation network in geosynchronous orbit high above Earth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “This system is compatible with GPS satellites<\/a> and can be utilized with them in an integrated fashion,” Japanese officials wrote in a description of the QZSS project<\/a>.<\/p>\n “QZSW can be used even in the Asia-Oceania regions with longitudes close to Japan, so its usage will be expanded to other countries in these regions as well,” they added.<\/p>\n The first QZSS satellite, a pathfinder, launched in September 2010. The system currently consists of four operational spacecraft, but Japan wants it to grow, as Sunday’s unsuccessful launch shows. Indeed, the network will eventually consist of 11 spacecraft<\/a>, if all goes according to plan.<\/p>\n![\"long-distance](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FydVWc4LCJz6TPh2uLkjMh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n