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Inmarsat-6 F1

H-IIA 204

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Launch Status
Success

Rocket Launch Videos

Mission

Inmarsat-6 F1

  • Type: Communications
  • Orbit: Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Launch Cost: $90,000,000

Inmarsat-6 is the sixth generation of satellites for the London-based global mobile satellite communications operator Inmarsat. It consists of a dual mission to augment both L-band and Ka-band Global Xpress services.

Airbus Defence and Space has been awarded a contract by Inmarsat to design and develop the first two Inmarsat-6 (I-6) mobile communications satellites, creating the most versatile mobile services satellites in its fleet.

The two I-6 satellites are based on Airbus Defence and Space's Eurostar platform in its E3000e variant, which exclusively uses electric propulsion for orbit raising. The satellites take advantage of the reduction in mass that this electric propulsion technology enables for a dual payload mission, with an exceptionally large next generation digitally processed payload.

I-6 F1 and F2 both carry a large 9 m aperture L-band antenna and nine multibeam Ka-band antennas, and feature a high level of flexibility and connectivity. A new generation modular digital processor provides full routing flexibility over up to 8000 channels and dynamic power allocation to over 200 spot beams in L-band. Ka-band spot beams are steerable over the full Earth disk, with flexible channel to beam allocation.

Location

Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1

Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1 has witnessed the launch of 57 rockets, including 57 orbital launch attempts. While Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, has been the site for 97 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 204

H-IIA (H2A) was an 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.

Learn more about the H-IIA 204

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.

Learn more about Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Last Updated:

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the H-IIA launch scheduled?

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA launch carrying the Inmarsat-6 F1 mission was scheduled for:
.

Where can I watch the H-IIA launch video?

You can watch the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.

Where did the H-IIA launch from?

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA rocket launched from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1 at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. 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.

What rocket was used for the Inmarsat-6 F1 mission?

The Inmarsat-6 F1 mission launched aboard a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA rocket. H-IIA (H2A) was an 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. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.

What weather conditions could have delayed this launch?

The H-IIA launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.

How can I get updates if the launch is delayed?

This page is updated in real-time with the latest launch status, including any delays or scrubs. You can also check our space launch schedule for the most current information. Enable push notifications through our mobile app to receive instant alerts about launch status changes, weather holds, or new launch times. We recommend following official live streams for the most immediate range updates.

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