In hopes of improving the accuracy of satellite navigation services in the country, the Japanese government announced the "Michibiki" satellite, the first of a planned series of satellite launches.

The satellite was sent into orbit on top of a Japanese H-IIA rocket. The rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center last Saturday. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said that satellite later deployed its solar panels to complete a successful launch.

Michibiki is the first of three satellites that will provide navigation signals that focus mainly on Japan. A figure-of-eight orbit is key to the mission. The satellite is expected to make a tight northern swing over the country and a broad pass over Australia. Because of the "quasi-zenith" orbit, the project was named Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).

The orbit is designed to keep one of the planned three QZSS satellites always in the skies above Japan. Due to being almost directly above the country, the satellite's signals should be able to reach areas that are sometimes out of range of global positioning satellites such as city-center streets and country areas. The Michibiki is also expected to broadcast a signal to correct errors in GPS data. The method is meant to ensure that positioning services can be delivered with more accuracy.

The QZSS satellite is one of a number of satellite positioning networks in the works from countries that aim to reduce their reliance on the NAVSTAR GPS network, which is built and controlled by the US.