Japan successfully launched a radar reconnaissance satellite into orbit Monday, boosting its intelligence-gathering capacity. It was the second launch for the year, following a successful liftoff in September.

The spy satellite lifted off at 0121 GMT Monday (8:21 p.m. EST Sunday) from the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan's primary space launch base, and was delivered into orbit about 20 minutes later.

The Japanese space agency JAXA did not reveal the capabilities of the satellite, but according to news reports, it carries a synthetic aperture radar instrument designed to see through clouds and take pictures of the Earth even at nighttime.

According to Japanese reports, the development of the new radar satellite cost 39.8 billion yen, or about $512 million, while the launch cost $132 million.

Japan launched its first pair of spy satellites in 2003, prompted by concerns over North Korea's missile program. Since then Japan's spy satellites have become more advance, with the government using the data to keep track of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, together with other military movements worldwide.

The satellite was also able to provide images in the aftermath of the March earthquake that spawned a devastating tsunami, followed by the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant.

Japanese space agency officials said the next H-2A launch is scheduled for the spring of 2012 with a Japanese climate satellite and a South Korean remote sensing craft.