MISSION OVERVIEW
HALCA (Highly Advanced Laboratory for Communication and Astronomy), a.k.a. VSOP (Very Large Baseline Interferometry Space Observatory Programme) or Muses-B, is the first astronomical satellite dedicated to Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). It was launched on its maiden flight by ISAS’s M-5 [KM-V1] launch vehicle from Kagoshima Space Center on 12 February 1997.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
M-VMISSION
Haruka
MISSION TYPE
Astrophysics
TARGET ORBIT
Elliptical Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Mu CenterLAUNCH SITE
Uchinoura Space Center, JapanCOUNTRY
JPN
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: d20bd92e-bc02-4fc2-85e3-3ddb7bcae6bc
Reported date: Feb 12, 1997 at 04:50 UTC
Last synced: 8 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — M-V →
MANUFACTURER
IHI Corporation
VARIANT
V
FLIGHTS
7
SUCCESSES
6
SUCCESS RATE
85.7%
The M-V rocket also called Mu-5 was a Japanese solid-fuel rocket designed to launch scientific satellites.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the M-V | Haruka launch?
The M-V | Haruka is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, 1997 at 4:50 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Haruka?
The M-V | Haruka mission uses the M-V rocket, manufactured by IHI Corporation. The M-V has flown 7 times with a 85.7% success rate.
Where is the M-V | Haruka launching from?
The launch takes place from Mu Center at Uchinoura Space Center, Japan.
What orbit is Haruka going to?
The Haruka mission is targeting Elliptical Orbit.
Who is launching Haruka?
The M-V | Haruka is operated by Institute of Space and Astronautical Science.
Can I watch the M-V | Haruka launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Feb 12, 1997 at 04:50 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 8 hours ago
●Launch Library 220 hours ago
Launch ID: d20bd92e-bc02-4fc2-85e3-3ddb7bcae6bc
●Open-Meteo Weather20 hours ago
Pad weather at 31.25, 131.08
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Mission Profile
Haruka was a M-V mission operated by Institute of Space and Astronautical Science that lifted off from Mu Center, Uchinoura Space Center, Japan on February 12, 1997. The flight carried its payload on a astrophysics mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch was a success.