Rocket System Corp. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2 (MTSat-2) Feb. 18 aboard an H-2A launch vehicle.

MTSat-2, owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is designed to collect data that will improve weather forecasts, mitigate natural disasters and help improve transportation security.

Separately, JAXA postponed the scheduled Feb. 21 launch of the Astro-F satellite aboard a M-5 rocket due to weather. The launch of the infrared astronomy satellite has been rescheduled for Feb. 22.