IGS Optical 6

Mission

IGS Optical 6

Type: Government/Top Secret

Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) is a Japanese governmental spy satellite program. IGS Optical 6, as the name suggests, is an optical reconnaissance satellite.

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

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

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.