H-IIA launches GPM rain study mission successfully from Tanegashima

A spacecraft called Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory which has been to measure rainfall on Earth has been launched by an H2A launch vehicle from the Japanese launch site at Tanegashima on 28 February 2014. The mission, which was valued at US$1.2 million, was co-sponsored by the Japanese Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NASA. The 3850kg spacecraft was launched at 1837 GMT and flown to a 407km altitide low Earth orbit at an inclination of 65 degrees. Also aboard the flight were three microsatellites used for University research, plus four cubesats and a tether satellite experiment all hitching a ride to orbit. Full details are available on the Seradata SpaceTrak database.
H-IIA rocket lifts off from Tanegashima carrying GPM. Courtesy: NASA/Bill Ingalls