Japan has successfully launched an information-gathering satellite into orbit.

An H-2A rocket carrying the satellite aboard blasted off from the southern island of Tanegashima at 10:21 AM on Monday. It is the 14th straight successful launch for Japan's mainstay H-2A rocket.

The satellite detached from the rocket at a designated altitude.

The satellite is fitted with radar equipment that can detect and take images of objects as small as one meter on the earth's surface, even at night or in bad weather.

The latest launch is part of the government's program to put a reconnaissance system in place that covers all locations on Earth at least once a day.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111212_17.html

Image credit: http://nationalspacestudiescenter.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/h2a.jpg