TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the sixth satellite in a seven-orbiter geolocation system failed to deliver its payload into the target orbit after liftoff on Monday, the country's space agency said.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is assessing the situation and gathering relevant data regarding the second-stage engine's premature cutoff that occurred about 30 minutes after the 10:51 a.m. liftoff from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, the agency said.

It marked the second launch failure for an H3 rocket, the first one being in March 2023, which was followed by five successful launches.

"It would be impossible to carry out next liftoff without determining the cause (of the failure) and implementing preventive measures," JAXA project manager Makoto Arita said at a press conference.

While Japan plans to complete the seven-orbiter system within the current fiscal year through March, the likely hiatus could significantly hamper the country's space programs including the geolocation satellite system akin to U.S. GPS, as well as supply distribution to the International Space Station and the Martian moons exploration.

JAXA officials said it will confirm whether the satellite was separated from the rocket and then engage in a full-fledged investigation on the cause of dropped pressure of a hydrogen fuel tank during the flight.

The second-stage engine was planned to combust twice, but the second combustion, expected to last for more than 4 minutes, appears to have subsided immediately after its start, according to JAXA.

Placed on multiple orbital planes, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System will enable Japan to operate highly accurate positioning services vital for smartphones and vehicle navigation, covering close to 100 percent of the country, including urban canyons and mountainous terrain, according to JAXA.

The launch of Michibiki No. 5 satellite from Tanegashima, an island in southwestern Japan, had been originally scheduled for Dec. 7, but it was rescheduled to last Wednesday and then Monday after abnormalities were detected in the rocket and ground facilities.

Japan began operating its own geolocation system with four satellites in 2018 to enhance the availability and improve the performance of the U.S.-administered Global Positioning System.

Michibiki No. 6 was launched in February this year. The agency may eventually increase the number of satellites to 11 to ensure that the system has redundancy in the event of technical problems, and to expand coverage.

With the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, at least one satellite is above Japan at all times, with coverage also extending to other parts of Asia and Oceania, according to the agency.