TRMM & ETS 7
H-II
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Mission
TRMM & ETS 7
Type: Earth Science
TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) is the first space mission dedicated to quantitatively measuring tropical and subtropical rainfall which is one of the most important and least-known parameters affecting the global climate system. ETS-VII (Engineering Test Satellite, “Kiku 7”) was launched aboard the H-2 No. 6 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center in November 1997.mETS-VII itself comprises two satellites: “Orihime” and “Hikoboshi”. “Orihime” is a target satellite weighing approximately 400 kilograms. It is placed in a fixed circular orbit at an altitude of roughly 550 kilometers. “Hikoboshi” is a chaser satellite, weighing some 2.5 tons. It moves in a variable orbit to rendezvous and dock with “Orihime”. “Hikoboshi” is equipped with a six-jointed, three-clawed robot arm two meters long.
Trajectory
The trajectory is unavailable. Check back for updates.
Location
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
88 rockets have launched from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.
Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency – JAXA
- Type: Government
- Abbreviation: JAXA
- Administration: Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa
- Founded: 2003
- Launchers: H-II
- Country: JPN
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan’s national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.
