For our last launch of the week, on October 25 at 02:00 UTC, a Japanese H-IIA 202 launched the Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1R satellite into inclined geosynchronous transfer orbit from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan.

QZS is Japan’s regional satellite navigation constellation designed to provide more precise positioning signals over the region — particularly in Japan’s mountainous areas, which includes the areas in between tall buildings in cities that act as artificial valleys. It seamlessly integrates with the U.S. military’s Global Positioning System by broadcasting compatible signals. QZS also provides the Japanese government with a backup satellite navigation system if GPS were to become unavailable for some reason. QZS-1 was launched eleven years ago and is past its design lifespan. QZS-1R will replace it in the four-satellite constellation.

The H-II is Japan’s medium satellite launch vehicle, the 202 variant of which is capable of putting 4100kg into geostationary transfer orbit. The 204 version with four solid boosters improves this to six metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit.

More Information

QZS 1 info page (Gunter’s Space Page)

H-2A-202 info page (Gunter’s Space Page)

H-2A-204 info page (Gunter’s Space Page)

Launch video