TOKYO (AP) — Japan successfully deployed an upgraded Earth observation satellite for disaster response and security after it was launched on a new flagship H3 rocket Monday.
The H3 No. 3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island and released its payload about 16 minutes later, putting it into a targeted orbit as planned, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said during a livestream.
The Advanced Land Observation Satellite, or ALOS-4, is tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking, including for volcanic and seismic activity and other land movements. It's also capable of monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry.
JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa praised Monday's successful launch as “a big first step" toward ensuring Japan's access to space and international competitiveness. “I believe the two successful flights in a row would help gain trust from in and outside the country."
JAXA's H3 Project Manager Makoto Arita said the mission was “almost a perfect success.”
The ALOS-4 is a successor to the current ALOS-2 and can observe a much wider area. Japan will operate both for the time being.
The launch was the third of the H3 system, after the successful one on Feb 17. and the shocking failed debut flight a year earlier when the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload — a satellite that was supposed to be the ALOS-3.
Japan sees a stable, commercially competitive space transport capability as key to its space program and national security.
JAXA and its main contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have been developing the H3 launch system as a successor to its current mainstay, H-2A, which is set to retire after two more flights. MHI will eventually take over H3 production and launches from JAXA and hopes to make it commercially viable by cutting the launch cost to about half of the H-2A.
“We will continue to improve our success record and gain trust from our customers,” said Koji Shimura, H3 project manager at MHI's defense and space segment.
Japan’s H3 rocket carrying satellite Daichi 4 lifts off in Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima, Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan, Monday, July 1, 2024. Japan’s space agency on Monday launched the new flagship H3 rocket carrying an upgraded observation satellite for disaster response and security.(Kyodo News via AP)
Japan’s H3 rocket with satellite Daichi 4 lifts off the launch pad in Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima, Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan, Monday, July 1, 2024. Japan’s space agency on Monday launched the new flagship H3 rocket carrying an upgraded observation satellite for disaster response and security.(Kyodo News via AP)
Japan’s H3 rocket with satellite Daichi 4 lifts off the launch pad in Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima, Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan, Monday, July 1, 2024. Japan’s space agency on Monday launched the new flagship H3 rocket carrying an upgraded observation satellite for disaster response and security.(Kyodo News via AP)
SEATTLE (AP) — Grayson Rodriguez allowed just two hits over 6 1/3 shutout innings, and Anthony Santander drove in the go-ahead run with a fourth-inning RBI single as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Rodriguez (10-3) was dominant against Seattle’s struggling offense, retiring the first eight batters and allowing just one hit through five innings. The Orioles have won five of their last six games after dropping five in a row.
The Mariners threatened twice, but Rodriguez got an inning-ending double play off the bat of Jorge Polanco in the fourth inning and struck out Cal Raleigh in the sixth to escape both jams unscathed.
“I thought he threw the ball great," manager Brandon Hyde said. “Really good changeup tonight. That start in Houston didn't go well, but ... he's had four or five really good ones. This was right up there also. Really good job of changing speeds.”
Josh Rojas had both hits for Seattle, a pair of singles.
Gunnar Henderson hit a leadoff single in the fourth against Mariners starter George Kirby, and scored to put the Orioles up 1-0 when Santander hit a one-out single to right field.
“They have a pretty good pitching staff," Santander said. “There are some games we don't win by a homer. As a hitter we have to try to not do too much, especially with runners in scoring position.”
The Orioles, who lead MLB with 139 homers, won without a long ball for the first time since May 31 against Tampa Bay.
Cedric Mullins made it a 2-0 game with an RBI single in the seventh that ended Kirby’s day after 6 1/3 innings. Kirby (7-6) allowed two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
Rodriguez also went 6 1/3 innings, with four walks, eight strikeouts, and 19 swings and misses from the Seattle lineup, including nine off his changeup.
“That's kind of the foundation of how I pitch is off that changeup,” Rodriguez said. “If I can get that working, I'm pretty confident I can do anything I want with it.”
Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez combined for two perfect innings of relief, and Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 20th save.
Raleigh put a scare into the Baltimore dugout with a booming blast with one on that looked set to tie the game in the ninth, but the ball curved foul.
The loss extended Seattle's losing streak to three games.
“Baltimore has got a good club, we know that,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “These games are going to be tight. We've got to figure out a way to get the big hit late, and that's been a struggle for us lately.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
DH/C Mitch Garver (wrist) was still a bit sore on Tuesday after taking a fastball from Joe Ryan off his right wrist in Sunday’s game against Minnesota. Garver was not in the lineup, but took some swings in the batting cage.
ROSTER MOVE
Seattle recalled C Seby Zavala from Triple-A Tacoma, and optioned LHP Jhonathan Díaz … Seattle signed RHP Chris Devenski to a major league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma. Devenski was released by Tampa Bay on Monday … On Monday, Baltimore activated RHP Corbin Burnes off the paternity list and optioned LHP Matt Krook to Triple-A Norfolk.
UP NEXT
Orioles RHP Dean Kremer (3-4, 4.32 ERA) will pitch Wednesday against Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (5-4, 2.72).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Baltimore Orioles left fielder Colton Cowser fields a fly ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles reliever Cionel Perez delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby, second from right, is pulled from a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning by manager Scott Servais during a meeting at the mound with catcher Cal Raleigh, second from left, and third baseman Josh Rojas, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles reliever Yennier Cano delivers a pitch during the seventh inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jorge Mateo attempts to turn a double play after forcing out Seattle Mariners' Dominic Canzone at second base during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, left, and right fielder Anthony Santander celebrate after a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. The Orioles won 2-0. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cionel Perez fields a ground ball barehanded during the eighth inning during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles' Jordan Westburg hits a RBI-single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, left, and catcher Adley Rutschman walk off the field at the end of the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
