Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Japan launches new spy satellite amid concerns over N Korea's missile program

National Dec. 12, 2011 - 07:00PM JST ( 37 )

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37 Comments

5

GurukunDec. 12, 2011 - 02:16PM JST

Just wondering.....How do you advertise the launching of a SPY sattelite?
1

ElvensilvanDec. 12, 2011 - 02:24PM JST

How do you advertise the launching of a SPY sattelite?

"We are glad to announce our new information-gathering radar satellite which shall monitor the seas and other geographical details in and around Japan to improve our current land, air and water information, to produce better countermeasures against possible disasters."

Of course, the disasters won't all be natural.
-2

MaboDofuIsSpicyDec. 12, 2011 - 02:24PM JST

That is a secret Gurukun. That is why it is a spy satellite.
-10

smithinjapanDec. 12, 2011 - 02:27PM JST

So when Japan fires one off it's a rocket, when NK does it's a missile. At least that's what the paranoid media was declaring a couple years back when NK launched a rocket. Anyway, best of luck -- at least with the Japanese rocket we know it won't crash into the ocean (probably).

"For security reasons, the government has refused to divulge details about the functions of satellites."

Spy satelite. 'Nuf said.
-8

Elbuda MexicanoDec. 12, 2011 - 02:39PM JST

Great! Now is all we need! A new arms race??
-6

horrifiedDec. 12, 2011 - 02:56PM JST

How much is this costing us? Good thing we don't have a crisis on our hands, otherwise we'd be short of funds.
0

saru_auDec. 12, 2011 - 03:19PM JST

horrifiedDec. 12, 2011 - 02:56PM JST

How much is this costing us? Good thing we don't have a crisis on our hands, otherwise we'd be short of funds

it's "research" ... just divert a whale size chunk of funds from the reconstruction
-10

marcelitoDec. 12, 2011 - 03:22PM JST

Damn waste of money at this time
7

Ben_JackinoffDec. 12, 2011 - 03:23PM JST

smithinjapan,

You are attempting to take moral equivalency to an impossible degree. Let me help you out, this rocket's intended use is not to kill. NK offensive missiles, some of which have already killed and some of which land in the waters surrounding Japan, are quite a different story.
4

Robert DykesDec. 12, 2011 - 03:39PM JST

@smithinjapan A missile is specifically a weapon (which may or may not be driven by a rocket. It could be driven by a jet engine! A ROCKET is means of propulsion defined by having entirely self-contained propellant usually used to put a PAY LOAD into space. Not a warhead into a planet earth. the difference is pretty clear. one goes up and does good. the other comes down and tries to kill people.

if you want to read about it the Taepodong-2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taepodong-2

now to be 100% fair. You are sort of correct. IF North Korea was actually launching a pistillate in 2009 like THEY claimed, then the Taepodong-2 was a rocket. BUT no one actully believes there was any kind of satellite on board, so it was a missile.
2

edojinDec. 12, 2011 - 05:47PM JST

Here's looking at you, Mr. Kim ...
1

Elbuda MexicanoDec. 12, 2011 - 06:45PM JST

Can the Japanese just use the American spy satellites that are already spying on North Korea??
1

anglootakuDec. 12, 2011 - 07:11PM JST

Will spy on China also most likely.
-1

Ted BarreraDec. 12, 2011 - 07:23PM JST

This is a brilliant thing to announce on JT! So much for secrecy.
1

codomoDec. 12, 2011 - 07:55PM JST

anglootaku

agree. this is for spying not only nk but also china.
0

johninnahaDec. 12, 2011 - 08:16PM JST

North Korean missile program?

Someone's got the date wrong.

It's not April 1st!
1

Photoman333Dec. 12, 2011 - 09:16PM JST

Ted Barrera This is a brilliant thing to announce on JT! So much for secrecy.

My impression is that in the intelligence game sometimes you really want the enemy to know you're watching them.
-4

Photoman333Dec. 12, 2011 - 09:19PM JST

Wasn't this the first use of the H-2A rocket?
1

It"S MEDec. 12, 2011 - 09:23PM JST

H2-A Rocket had 17 succesfull launches out of 18 over the last 10yrs. The system us currently being upgraded to improve it.
-1

smithinjapanDec. 12, 2011 - 09:24PM JST

Ben: "this rocket's intended use is not to kill. NK offensive missiles, some of which have already killed and some of which land in the waters surrounding Japan, are quite a different story."

North Korean missiles killed people in Japan? When? My comment was directed towards the rocket they launched a couple of years back, not the missile, which was without a doubt a missile, they fired towards Japan in 1998 (which was a test, not intended to kill, just to be technical).

Robert: "A missile is specifically a weapon (which may or may not be driven by a rocket. It could be driven by a jet engine! A ROCKET is means of propulsion defined by having entirely self-contained propellant usually used to put a PAY LOAD into space. Not a warhead into a planet earth. the difference is pretty clear. one goes up and does good. the other comes down and tries to kill people."

Again, to be technical, if the definition you guys claim is correct that missiles are intended to 'kill people', then it could not have been a missile launched in 2009 because it's intent was not to kill, nor was there a specific target on earth. Now, you're correct that no one believes there was a satellite on board the North Korean rocket, but that does not make it a missile any more than an unmanned rocket made for testing sent elsewhere is a missile. I know more than enough about the Taepodong missiles, thank you. Rockets can also be refitted to carry things beyond warheads.

Regardless, I agree with posters above that this is a waste of money, and clearly not the only reason for the satellite being launched into space.
0

IowanDec. 12, 2011 - 09:38PM JST

Hope they put some Christmas lights on it.
-1

whiskeysourDec. 12, 2011 - 10:43PM JST

Send Godzilla & Ultradude - It's a great space coaster off we go !!!!!
0

Za-zaam FlashDec. 12, 2011 - 11:05PM JST

I love remote sensings. I wish MHI could post some of the spectral scans and DTMs to the public!
-1

Vernie JefferiesDec. 12, 2011 - 11:11PM JST

I thought that was the new Softbank commercial when they send the dog up in the rocket.
1

KwaabishDec. 12, 2011 - 11:31PM JST

Good to see yet another successful launch of the H-2A
1

butakunDec. 13, 2011 - 01:19AM JST

H2-A Rocket had 17 succesfull launches out of 18 over the last 10yrs.

In fact, this is the 20th flight of H2-A.
1

KariHarukaDec. 13, 2011 - 03:31AM JST

@smithinjapan theres a difference between a missile which goes boom with a intension to kill people. While a space rockets function is to launch a satellite into the sky.
0

YuriOtaniDec. 13, 2011 - 06:19AM JST

It is a recon satellite and not spy. It flies through space and that is not owned by China. No other country would recognize their claim to space. Second it is up there for all to see. Thus it is not a spy anything and if China wants to hide something, keep it out of view.
0

sasakamaDec. 13, 2011 - 07:10AM JST

It's great step toward the complete self-defense system for Japan. I believe that this is useful enough to scrutinize China activities in the sea of southern part of Japan.
0

globalwatcherDec. 13, 2011 - 07:33AM JST

Demand for domestic land surveillance grew after Japan was hit by the March 11 quake and tsunami

Congratulations! Finally it took off after many trials and errors. I am so happy for you. Hope it has a good security system in place from world hackers. That's very important.
-2

MrExpatriateDec. 13, 2011 - 07:48AM JST

smithinjapan,

It was obvious the intention of the Taepodong missile launch in '09 was to see if North Korea had the capability to launch an intercontinental ballistic strike. It was supposed to showcase the strength of North Korea's military. If you think Japan's launch was with the same intention, then you are delusional at best.
-1

Ben_JackinoffDec. 13, 2011 - 08:42AM JST

smithinjapan,

Your attempted comparison of Japanese and North Korean actions continues to fail. There is absolutely nothing similar at all beyone the fact that both countries launched something into the air. As mentioned directly above, you continue to ignore intent. North Korean missiles have killed very recently. While they were not Japanese, I did not think that is the point. The point is North Korean's obvious and sometime murderous aggression. Perhaps shedding some of your dislike for Japan would help you regain some perspective in this discussion.
0

noriyosan73Dec. 13, 2011 - 12:26PM JST

Did NK finally get the message? "One shot, that is all you get, then bye-bye."
-2

just-a-guyDec. 13, 2011 - 05:49PM JST

Japan better becareful if her 'little eye' flew over China's outter space will be blown up like pieces!
-2

BarelyAliveDec. 13, 2011 - 07:48PM JST

While I do believe the Japanese when they say they launched a rocket, some of you don't seem to realize that the Japanese do have missiles and the tech does carry over. Nobody is saying that this launch was actually a missle test. Its dishonest to act like they did.

When NK claims something though, I doubt it to be sure. I don't side with the NK version. But neither do I side with those who insist it cannot be a rocket and must be a missle. I think its clear enough that NK would like both. Its quite natural, since we know Japan has both, China has both and South Korea has both.

But of course the fact that South Korea's rockets are also failures have not prompted any suspicions that its actually ICBM tests.
0

anglootakuDec. 13, 2011 - 09:13PM JST

Think about it though.. NK has commie soviet era technology and has no sea nor air power really.. that rocket they launched was a direct initiative from China... China is manipulating and controlling NK by means of rations, money, political influence and past history during the cold war. With China's military build up, it is quite obvious the satellite is truly aimed at China.
-1

NeoJamalDec. 14, 2011 - 03:11AM JST

Can the Japanese just use the American spy satellites that are already spying on North Korea??

Hawww Hawww, you must be mistaking Japan for a respected close US ally like the UK