ASTRO-F, now called AKARI, is successfully launched

The ASTRO-F satellite is launched aboard the M-V Launch Vehicle No. 8 (M-V-8) at 06:28 on 22 February 2006, Japan Standard Time (JST) from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC).

The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and it was confirmed that the satellite was safely injected into its scheduled orbit. When in orbit, ASTRO-F was given a nickname of 'AKARI' (meaning a 'light').