Japan Launches Spy Satellite

September 11, 2006 -- Japan launched a rocket carrying its third intelligence-gathering satellite today, amid concerns about neighboring North Korea's nuclear-weapons and missile programs.

An earlier launch attempt was cancelled September 10 due to bad weather, but the domestically developed H2-A rocket lifted off today after the weather improved.

Kyodo News agency said that about a half hour later, the rocket had successfully placed the satellite in orbit.

(AP)