The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.7 (H-IIA F7) with the Multi-functional Transport Satellite-1 Replacement (MTSAT-1R) onboard was launched at 6:25 p.m. on February 26, 2005 (Japan Standard time). The initial flight angle was 102 degrees. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at 40 minutes and 2 seconds after liftoff, the MTSAT-1R separation was confirmed. The in-orbit MTSAT-1R was given a nickname of "Himawari-6".