The Michibiki satellite was launched into space aboard an H-IIA rocket that took off from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. Its solar panels opened as soon as it got into orbit.

The satellite has a quasi-zenith orbit so that any of the three satellites will always be in the skies above Japan to keep GPS signals clear in many city streets and country areas that are out of range of GPS satellites or blocked by tall buildings and mountains.

It will also make positioning more accurate by correcting errors in GPS data.

The signal from the Michibiki satellite is compatible with the broadcast of existing ones so there is no need to change GPS equipment to get the positioning service.

The deployment of the Michibiki satellite will lessen reliance on the U.S. NAVSTAR. Other countries are also planning to launch their own GPS satellites into orbit to have more control of their GPS service.