The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Rocket System Corp. plan to launch the Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2 (MTSat-2) Feb. 15. The satellite will be lofted into orbit aboard an H-2A rocket from Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.

MTSat-2, built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., is designed to monitor weather and transmit air traffic control systems and will serve as an in-orbit backup for MTSat-1R, which was launched in February, and will take over for MTSat-1R around 2010.