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The Japanese space agency on Monday launched a rocket carrying a satellite that will monitor greenhouse gases, as well as the first fully built satellite in the UAE.
The country's H-IIA rocket took off Monday afternoon at 13:08 (08:08 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
About 16 minutes later, a Japanese satellite dubbed Ibuki-2 entered orbit.
The satellite, officially called GOSAT-2, is an abbreviation for "greenhouse gas observing satellite 2". It aims to provide data that will help Japan to create and publish "emission inventories" of CO2 production from various countries, as indicated in the climate agreement.
The satellite will also make precision observations of methane and other gases.
The Japanese rocket also launched "KhalifaSat", the first satellite built entirely in the UAE by local engineers.
"The launch of KhalifaSat is an unprecedented feat for the United Arab Emirates," said Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in a tweet.
"Our dreams of embracing space have become a reality."
Five other smaller satellites are expected to come out of the Japanese rocket.
The Japanese Space Agency and its private partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries view the international satellite launch market as a potential source of revenue.
