Michibiki 4 (QZS-4)
H-IIA 202
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Rocket Launch Videos
Mission
Michibiki 4 (QZS-4)
- Type: Navigation
- Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
- Launch Cost: $90,000,000
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a three-satellite regional time transfer system and the satellite-based augmentation system for the GPS that would be receivable within Japan. The primary purpose of QZSS is to increase the availability of GPS in Japan's numerous urban canyons, where only satellites at very high elevation can be seen. A secondary function is performance enhancement, increasing the accuracy and reliability of GPS derived navigation solutions. A single satellite weighs about 4000 kg, has an expected lifetime of 15 years and is put in a elliptical, highly inclined geosynchronous orbit.
Location
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1 has witnessed the launch of 56 rockets, including 56 orbital launch attempts. While Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, has been the site for 94 rocket launches.
The Tanegashima Space Center is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan. It is located on the southeastern tip of Tanegashima, an island located south of Kyushu, an island and region and Japan. It was established in 1969 when the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was formed, and is now run by JAXA. The activities that take place at TNSC include assembly, testing, launching, and tracking satellites, as well as rocket engine firing tests.
Rocket
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA 202
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.
Agency
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
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.
