IGS-2A & IGS-2B

Japan

Spacecraft n°:

Japanese spacecraft n°: 116-117

Information Gathering Satellite

Launch data:

Designation	F01260-F01261 /03F02
Launch date	29 Nov 2003 - 04:33 UT
Launch site	Tanegashima
Launch vehicle	H-2A (2024)
Mission	photoreconnaissance, radar reconnaissance

Failed to reach orbit

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor
Customer
Platform
Mass at launch	850 & 1200 kg
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape
Dimension
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power

Decay:

Descent date:	29 Nov 2003
Lifetime:

Mission details:

Second launch of a pair of Japanese IGS satellites, IGS 2A was a photoreconnaissance satellite and IGS 2B was a radar reconnaissance satellite. The launch time suggests that the satellites would have been making afternoon passes over North Korea (the primary target for the reconnaissance work), while IGS 1A and 1B (2003-009) make morning passes over the area.Planned operating orbits were probably similar to those of the earlier satellites: 97,4 deg, 94,4 min, 490 km circular.
After launch it is believed that one of the H-2A strap-on boosters failed to separate from the first stage core and as result the second stage of the launch vehicle was unable to reach orbital velocity. The vehicle was therefore deliberately destroyed approximately 11 minutes after launch.

Ref.: #3(SD377), #7 - update: 23.02.04