IGS-1A

Japan

Spacecraft n°:

Japanese satellite n°: 109

Information Gathering Satellite 1A

Launch data:

Designation	27698 / 03009A
Launch date	28 Mar 2003 - 01:27 UT
Launch site:	Tanegashima Uchu Senta
Launch vehicle	H-2A 2024 (#12)
Mission	Government: Reconnaissance
Near-polar Sun-Synchronous LEO Earth orbit:
Perigee / Apogee	485 x 491 km
Eccentricity	4,37E-04
Inclination	97.3 deg
Period	94.36 min

Optical satellite, 1-m resolution

Specifications

Prime contractor	Mitsubishi Electric
Platform
Operator	Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center (CSIC)
Mass at launch	850 kg
Mass in orbit
Dimension
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power
Design lifetime	5 yrs - still active

Japan's first military optical reconnaissance satellites; primary mission the monitoring of N. Korea. Launch failure in 11/03 of second half of system cripples it to a large degree.

Ref: #7, #15, #84a, #226 - update: 03.02.10