South Korea’s Arirang-3 multipurpose observation satellite was successfully launched from a space center in Japan early Friday morning.

The satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard Japan’s H2A rocket at 1:39 a.m. Friday. Sixteen minutes after liftoff, the satellite successfully separated from the launch vehicle.

Around 3:18 a.m., the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Daejeon made its first successful contact with the satellite, confirming that it is operating normally.

The aerospace institute said that all preparations for Arirang-3 to begin its mission had been completed as the satellite was successfully put into orbit.

Equipped with a high-resolution optical camera, the Arirang-3 will operate at an altitude of 685 kilometers for four years on surface observation missions. Starting from September, the satellite will provide images required for public safety and to prevent natural disasters.