While the United States is credited for owning the GPS navigation system that has been open to public and commercial use only recently, the Japanese have also launched their first navigation satellite, known as Michibiki, that will improve coverage in mountainous terrain and urban areas.

In a recent announcement by the country’s space agency, the satellite has entered its orbit over Asia, and will undergo three months of technology testing before being pressed into service. Incidentally, ‘Michibiki’ means ‘guiding’ or ‘showing the way’, and will augment signals from the United States Air Force Global Positioning System, which consists of 30 network satellites circling almost 11000 miles above the Earth.

According to recent reports, Michibiki blasted off on September 11 from the Tanegashima Space Center and reached its temporary orbit in 30 minutes after its launch, and based on the success of the technology tests that occur in the months ahead, it will be decided whether or not whether or not the next two out the remaining three satellites that are next in line, will be launched in the same manner.

While any GPS terminal on the ground needs a total of four satellites to compute an accurate position, Japan’s mountains and mountains often block line-of-sight signals from aircraft that are low in the sky.

And thus in launching their own GPS satellites that will be positioned high in the sky over their country, one hopes that it will improve the ability to receive GPS signals regardless of these man-made or natural obstructions.