Japan launches multiple satellites

TOKYO, May 18 (UPI) -- Japan says it has successfully performed the first commercial launch of a foreign-made satellite, putting a South Korean observation satellite into orbit.

The Japanese H-2A rocket blasted off from the space center on Tanegashima Island in southern Japan Friday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency reported.

Around 16 minutes after launch the South Korean KOMPSAT-3 multipurpose observation satellite developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute separated from the rocket, JAXA said in a release.

Three Japanese satellites were also put into orbit from the rocket, the space agency said.

One of them, the Global Changing Observation Mission 1st Water "SHIZUKU," will monitor global ocean currents.

The H-2A launch rocket is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.