GCOM-C1 & SLATS

Mission

GCOM-C1 & SLATS

Type: Earth Science

GCOM-C1 is another satellite in JAXA's Earth observation Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM) constellation. This spacecraft is the first satellite in GCOM-C series and is intended to operate in sun-synchronous orbit for 5 years. It aims to collect surface and atmospheric measurements in order to monitor global climate change. Along with it is launched an engineering test satellite SLATS (Super Low Altitude Test Satellite), which is an attempt to develop techniques to operate a satellite in extremely low orbits. SLATS will try achieve that by maintaining position in orbit via ion engines. It will also collect data on atmosphere density and measure atomic oxygen in such low altitudes.

Location

Yoshinobu Launch Complex

Tanegashima, Japan

35 rockets have launched from Tanegashima, Japan.

Rocket

H-IIA 202

Length: 53 meters
Diameter: 4 meters
First Launch: August 29, 2001

H-IIA (H2A) is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch Akatsuki, which studied the planet Venus. Launches occur at the Tanegashima Space Center.

The H-IIA 202 rocket has been launched a total of 22 times with 22 successful and 0 failed launches.

Agency

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: MHI
Administration: Seiji Izumisawa
Founded: 1884
Launchers: H-I, H-II, H-III
Spacecraft: Kounotori, HTV
Country: JPN

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a Japanese multinational engineering, electrical equipment and electronics company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. MHI is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group.

MHI’s products include aerospace components, air conditioners, aircraft, automotive components, forklift trucks, hydraulic equipment, machine tools, missiles, power generation equipment, printing machines, ships and space launch vehicles. Through its defense-related activities, it is the world’s 23rd-largest defense contractor measured by 2011 defense revenues and the largest based in Japan.