A replacement for an aging satellite in Japan’s regional navigation network was successfully launched on Monday, 25, from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard an H-2A rocket, heading for an orbit more than 20,000 miles above the Earth.
According to information posted on the Spaceflightnow website , the launch keeps Japan on track to establish an independent navigation network of seven satellites to provide continuous coverage throughout the country.
The mission marked the 44th launch of an H-2A rocket, Japan’s most widely used launch vehicle, since its debut in 2001. It was the 47th consecutive successful launch of the H-2 rocket family, which includes the H-launcher. Most powerful 2B used for International Space Station refueling missions .
The flight was delayed 24 hours because of poor weather forecast for the mission’s first launch opportunity.
Designed for a 15-year lifespan, the QZS 1R spacecraft will use its own propulsion system to reach an almost circular geosynchronous orbit with an average altitude of about 22,000 miles. The satellite will establish itself in an operational orbit inclined between 40 and 45 degrees to the equator, where it will circle the planet once every 24 hours.
The QZS 1R will replace the QZS 1, or Michibiki 1, navigation satellite launched on a previous H-2A flight in 2010. Three other near-zenith navigation satellites launched in 2017.
The QZSS fleet of four satellites, compatible with the GPS network, is fully positioned in orbits that roam Japan. The GPS satellites, operated by the US Space Force, circle the Earth in lower orbits, meaning that different spacecraft are visible in the heaven at different times.
Projected against the Earth’s surface, the QZS 1R satellite’s footprint will trace an asymmetrical eight pattern that stretches from Japan to Australia, alternating north and south of the equator. Three of the active near-zenith satellites are positioned in similar tilted geosynchronous orbits, and another is parked in geostationary orbit over the equator, remaining in a fixed position over the planet.
Source:
A replacement for an aging satellite in Japan’s regional navigation network was successfully launched on Monday, 25, from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard an H-2A rocket, heading for an orbit more than 20,000 miles above the Earth.
According to information posted on the Spaceflightnow website , the launch keeps Japan on track to establish an independent navigation network of seven satellites to provide continuous coverage throughout the country.
The mission marked the 44th launch of an H-2A rocket, Japan’s most widely used launch vehicle, since its debut in 2001. It was the 47th consecutive successful launch of the H-2 rocket family, which includes the H-launcher. Most powerful 2B used for International Space Station refueling missions .
The flight was delayed 24 hours because of poor weather forecast for the mission’s first launch opportunity.
Designed for a 15-year lifespan, the QZS 1R spacecraft will use its own propulsion system to reach an almost circular geosynchronous orbit with an average altitude of about 22,000 miles. The satellite will establish itself in an operational orbit inclined between 40 and 45 degrees to the equator, where it will circle the planet once every 24 hours.
The QZS 1R will replace the QZS 1, or Michibiki 1, navigation satellite launched on a previous H-2A flight in 2010. Three other near-zenith navigation satellites launched in 2017.
The QZSS fleet of four satellites, compatible with the GPS network, is fully positioned in orbits that roam Japan. The GPS satellites, operated by the US Space Force, circle the Earth in lower orbits, meaning that different spacecraft are visible in the heaven at different times.
Projected against the Earth’s surface, the QZS 1R satellite’s footprint will trace an asymmetrical eight pattern that stretches from Japan to Australia, alternating north and south of the equator. Three of the active near-zenith satellites are positioned in similar tilted geosynchronous orbits, and another is parked in geostationary orbit over the equator, remaining in a fixed position over the planet.
Source:
A replacement for an aging satellite in Japan’s regional navigation network was successfully launched on Monday, 25, from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard an H-2A rocket, heading for an orbit more than 20,000 miles above the Earth.
According to information posted on the Spaceflightnow website , the launch keeps Japan on track to establish an independent navigation network of seven satellites to provide continuous coverage throughout the country.
The mission marked the 44th launch of an H-2A rocket, Japan’s most widely used launch vehicle, since its debut in 2001. It was the 47th consecutive successful launch of the H-2 rocket family, which includes the H-launcher. Most powerful 2B used for International Space Station refueling missions .
The flight was delayed 24 hours because of poor weather forecast for the mission’s first launch opportunity.
Designed for a 15-year lifespan, the QZS 1R spacecraft will use its own propulsion system to reach an almost circular geosynchronous orbit with an average altitude of about 22,000 miles. The satellite will establish itself in an operational orbit inclined between 40 and 45 degrees to the equator, where it will circle the planet once every 24 hours.
The QZS 1R will replace the QZS 1, or Michibiki 1, navigation satellite launched on a previous H-2A flight in 2010. Three other near-zenith navigation satellites launched in 2017.
The QZSS fleet of four satellites, compatible with the GPS network, is fully positioned in orbits that roam Japan. The GPS satellites, operated by the US Space Force, circle the Earth in lower orbits, meaning that different spacecraft are visible in the heaven at different times.
Projected against the Earth’s surface, the QZS 1R satellite’s footprint will trace an asymmetrical eight pattern that stretches from Japan to Australia, alternating north and south of the equator. Three of the active near-zenith satellites are positioned in similar tilted geosynchronous orbits, and another is parked in geostationary orbit over the equator, remaining in a fixed position over the planet.
Source: GGPEN