Space Systems/Loral said the SS/L built MTSAT-1R was successfully launched at 1:25 a.m. PST Feb. 26. SS/L built the satellite, based on its 1300 bus for the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau and the Japanese Meteorological Agency. It is a multifunctional satellite that will monitor weather and transmit air traffic control systems. The satellite resides at 140 degrees East. It was the first successful launch of an H-2A rocket since its launch failure in November 2003.