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Launch SuccessfulMitsubishi Heavy Industries

H-IIA 204: Michibiki 3 (QZS-3)

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.

Saturday, 19 August 2017
H-IIA 204: Michibiki 3 (QZS-3)

Mission Data

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
🇯🇵Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesEst. 1884
Launch VehicleH-IIA 204
Vehicle FamilyH-II
Vehicle Record5 of 5 launches (100%)
Provider TypeCommercial
Agency Record57 successes / 2 failures (97%)
Success Streak3 consecutive
Mission TypeNavigation
Target OrbitGeostationary Transfer Orbit
Launch PadYoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
Location🇯🇵 Tanegashima Space Center, Japan JPN
Orbital Launches This Year#52
Agency Launches This Year#4
Launches From This Pad57
Launches From This Site100
Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

About 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.

Launch Site

Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1 · 30.4008°N 130.9777°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.