QZS-3 (Michibiki 3)

Launch data: Designation  42918 / 17048B (42917 / 48A) Ref#7 Launch date  19 Aug 2017 - 05:29 UT Launch site  Tanegashima, YLP-1 Launch vehicle  H-2A-204 (F35) Mission  Navigation Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  344 x 35392 km Eccentricity   Inclination   19.9° Period  624.6 min

Spacecraft data: Prime manufacturer   Platform   Operator   Mass at launch  4700 kg Dry Mass   kg Basic shape   Dimension (m)  height= 5.4m, width= 3.2m, lenth= 4.1m Equipment   Solar array   Stabilization   Propulsion   DC power   Design lifetime

QZS-3 exhibition

Description:

• Quasi-zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a constellation of Japan′s geographic positioning satellites that significantly improve the accuracy of positioning in areas where GPS signals are not fully received due to interference caused by skyscrapers and mountainous terrain. The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 35 frame configuration is a H2A204 launch vehicle utilizing four SRB-As, because QZS-3 has a launch mass of 4,700 kilograms, around 700 kilograms more than QZS-2.

Mission details:

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and JAXA successfully launched H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 35 (H-IIA F35) which encapsulates Michibiki No. 3, (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System; geostationary orbit) at 2:29:00 p.m. on August 19, 2017 (JST) from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center.
• The launch and flight of H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 35 proceeded as planned and the separation of the satellite was confirmed at approximately 28 minutes and 37 seconds after liftoff.

External links:

• The Cabinet Office: Satellite Information
• Satellite tracking (n2ya.com): Real time satellite tracking