Japan Plans To Develop Advanced Spy Satellite

The Japanese government plans to develop an advanced spy satellite for launch in 2010. Government sources say the satellite will be able to distinguish objects on Earth as small as 50 centimeters.

By Space Daily Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published September 26, 2004 · Updated March 15, 2026

The Japanese government plans to develop an advanced spy satellite for launch in 2010. Government sources say the satellite will be able to distinguish objects on Earth as small as 50 centimeters.

The satellite in fast polar orbit will pass over each target site once a day, compared with once every two days with Japan’s current satellite system.

Kyodo News reports that the project is aimed at watching missile and nuclear facilities of North Korea.

Japan deployed two spy satellites last year, but lost another two in a failed launch attempt last November.

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