Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off from the launch pad at the Tanegashima Space Center on Japan's southern island of Tanegashgima in Kagoshima prefecture on November 24, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries oversaw the launch from Tanegashima Space Centre in southwest Japan.
The launch of the H-IIA rocket was originally scheduled at 3:23 pm (0623 GMT), but was delayed by roughly 30 minutes because a small ship unexpectedly came near the space station.
The rocket successfully launched at 3:50 pm, carrying the TELSTAR 12V communications and broadcasting satellite for Canadian satellite operator Telesat.
It was scheduled to release the payload into orbit about 4 1/2 hours after liftoff, the space agency said.
Japan wants to become a major player in the satellite launching business. It has tried to improve the H-IIA rocket to cut the cost of each launch to make its programme competitive.
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