MTSat 1

Japan

Multi-functional Transport Satellite

Launch data

Designation 99F04
Launch date15 Nov 1999
Launch siteTanegashima
Launch vehicle H-2S (#7)
Mission Telecommunications and meteorology
Geostationary orbit on:
Perigee / Apogee  km
Eccentricity 
Inclination °
Period  min
Location 140°E

Japanese system for air traffic control and weather observation. Ordered by the Japanese Ministry for Transport & Meteorological agency to Space Systems/Loral ($102 million). Is the successor of the GMS program (was to replace GMS 5). The navigation system is the equivalent of the US WASS and European EGNOS programs.

Specifications

Prime contractor SS/L
Platform FS-1300
Mass at launch 2900 kg
Dry mass 1223 kg
Dimension  
Solar array  
Stabilization 3-axis
DC power  
Design lifetime  

Should have operated in UHF-, L-, S-, Ku- and Ka-band

Weather sensor built by ITT Aerospace/Commnucations division. The rest of the payload was built by Alcatel Space Industries.

End of life


Out of service 15 Nov 1999
Cause Launcher failed

In Jun 1999 the satellite had to be shipped back to SS/L after a part for the power supply in a similar product was found defective.

Description:

P>Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) is building MTSat (Multifunctional Transport Satellite), an advanced geostationary satellite for air traffic control and weather observation, under a contract with the Japanese Ministry of Transport Civil Aviation Bureau & Meteorological Agency. This multi-functional satellite will provide communications and navigational services for aircraft, and provide weather data to users throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region, as far south as Australia / New Zealand.

The spacecraft was delivered to Japan in March, 1999, for launch the next year on a Japanese H-II rocket. SS/L will conduct orbit raising and orbital tests before turning the satellite over to the ministry. All integration and ground testing of the satellite was conducted at SS/L’s facilities in Palo Alto, California. It was launched on an H-2S rocket, but due to a rocket failure never reached orbit. MTSat 1 was to be renamed Mirai after reaching orbit, but this name was not used due to the launch failure.

Ref: #15, #14 - update: 18.12.05