QZS-1 - "MICHIBIKI" - September 11, 2010

[jacqmans]

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                       ***  JAXA MAIL SERVICE  ***
                   Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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  "MICHIBIKI" Chosen as Nickname of the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite

                                                January 20, 2010 (JST)
                             Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted a nickname
campaign for the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite (QZS-1) between October
16 (Fri.) and December 16 (Wed.), 2009, to familiarize people with the
satellite. Among many suggestions, "MICHIBIKI" was selected as the
nickname.

1. Selection result:
   The chosen nickname is "MICHIBIKI" meaning "guiding" or "showing
   the way."

2. Reason for selection:
   - "MICHIBIKI" accounted for the highest percentage of proposed names,
     excluding some names that raised some concerns in terms of third
     party trademark rights, thus it means the name is supported by many
     people.
   - Many godparents of "MICHIBIKI" explained their selection reason as
     the QZS-1 is to show us a correct location using its accurate
     positioning information, and to guide us toward a futuristic
     society by establishing the next generation satellite positioning
     technology in Japan. As the name precisely illustrates the QZS
     mission, this name was chosen.

3. Received applications:
   Total: 11,111 (Among them, acceptable applications totaled 10,336,
   and those who proposed "MICHIBIKI" was 328.)
   (Breakdown)
   Internet                6,294
   Postcard                  812
   Application form        4,005


Note) JAXA will send a certificate to all godparents of "MICHIBIKI."
The winner of the trip to the Tanegashima Space Center to see off the
QZS-1 launch has been announced on the website of the Space
Application Mission Directorate.
http://www.satnavi.jaxa.jp/project/qzss/index.html#001
(Japanese language only)


(Reference)
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/01/20100120_qzs-1_e.html#ref


This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/01/20100120_qzs-1_e.html

[Fuji]

Targeted Launch date of the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite 'MICHIBIKI'
by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 was set to August 2 ,2010.

http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100609_michibiki_e.html

Scheduled date of Launch :     August 2 (Monday,) 2010 (Japan Standard Time)
Launch time :    10:54 p.m. thru 11:54 p.m. (Japan Standard Time)
Launch Windows :    August 3 (Tuesday) through September 30 (Thursday), 2010
                  *Launch time will be set for each launch day if the launch is delayed.
Launch site :    Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center

[Fuji]

Launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 was postponed due to technical problem. This ploblem is related to quality control of the satellite's reaction wheels lubrication, need to be replacement.

Could be one month delay.

[jacqmans]

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                       ***  JAXA MAIL SERVICE  ***
                   Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Launch Postponement of the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite 'MICHIBIKI'
                     by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18

                                                   June 23, 2010 (JST)
                                     Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
                             Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) decided to postpone the launch of the first Quasi-Zenith
Satellite "MICHIBIKI" by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18)
from the Tanegashima Space Center, which was originally scheduled for
August 2, 2010.

The new launch date will be announced as soon as it is determined.

(Reason for launch delay)
JAXA found a potential concern in the onboard reaction wheels of the
MICHIBIKI following notification from an overseas manufacturer. It may
take some time to clear up the potential concern for the manufacturer
by assessing test data. Therefore, we determined that it is better to
replace the parts with new ones in order to be able to launch the
MICHIBIKI as soon as possible while securing the quality and
reliability of the satellite.

This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100623_michibiki_e.html

[VR2]

July 28, 2010
H-IIA F18 arrives at the TNSC

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18,) which will carry the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite "MICHIBIKI" to space, was transported from Shimama Port on Tanegashima Island to the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC.)
The first and the second stages of the launch vehicle were in separate containers for transportation, thus they will be assembled at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the TNSC.

http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f18/index_e.html

[Fuji]

New Launch Day of the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite 'MICHIBIKI' by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18

Scheduled new date of launch :     September 11 (Saturday) 2010 (Japan Standard Time)
Launch time :    8:17 p.m. thru 9:16 p.m. (Japan Standard Time)
Launch windows :    September 12 (Sunday) through September 30 (Thursday), 2010
*Launch time will be set for each launch day if the launch is delayed.

http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/08/20100804_michibiki_e.html

[yoichi]

August 26, 2010 Updated

MICHIBIKI mated with the PAFThe first quasi-zenith satellite "MICHIBIKI" is now loaded with fuel at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA) at the Tanegashima Space Center, and is now in the final preparation phase before launch.
On August 24, a joint operation with the launch vehicle provider started, and the MICHIBIKI was mated with the Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) of the launch vehicle, which is a connection part between the payload and the launch vehicle.
The MICHIBIKI will be encapsulated by the payload fairing, then moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to be loaded onto the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18.

http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f18/index_e.html

[Space Pete]

The space headquarters officially inaugurated the "quasi-zenith satellite system" project -- which will complement the U.S. global positioning satellite system -- in conjunction with parliamentary secretaries from eight ministries and agencies. The new system will require the launch of at least three satellites, the first of which -- dubbed "Michibiki" -- is slated for launch this September. However, due to setbacks in the public-private partnership developing the satellites, the launch of the remaining two is currently up in the air, with the team of parliamentary secretaries stating they will strive to reach a conclusion by next fiscal year.

In order to enhance the space headquarters functionality as the supreme space policy-making body in the government, the Cabinet Secretariat has requested the headquarters' estimated 2011 budget be quadrupled to some 380 million yen.

Source.

[Salo]

Japan's 1st navigation satellite good for GPS

[HIPAR]

MICHIBIKI transmits GPS compliant signals allowing the portion of a GPS receiver that acquires and tracks and demodulates these signals to be interoperable with current practice thereby removing risk from product development.

Subsequent to ending intentional positional degradation in 2000, the civil users worldwide have steadily increased demands from the GPS system.  I've seen estimates of over a billion civil receivers currently being in service. This massive user base exerts a political influence for continued system modernization.

MICHIBIKI further solidifies a market for GPS devices .. Japan is a very large economy.

What's good about this?  Although civil pressures have complicated GPS  acquisition, the US Armed forces have enjoyed access to their part of a reliable and robust constellation.

---  CHAS

 



 

[Fuji]

H-IIA F18 Launch preparation is doing smooth.
Pad Rollout scheduled for 09/10/2010 about 10:00 p.m.(UTC)

Launch time : 09/11/2010  8:17 p.m.  (Japan Standard Time)
                    09/11/2010 11:17 a.m. (UTC)

[Fuji]

H-IIA F18 on the way to the launch pad
http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/en/mission/countdown/f18.html

H-IIA F18 carrying MICHIBIKI atop the second stage leaves for the launch pad. The launch vehicle, mounted on a mobile launcher, will travel approximately 500 meters from the VAB to the launch pad. This takes approximately 30 minutes.

Web camera.
http://space.jaxa.jp/tnsc/webcam/index_j.shtml

[Fuji]

Pad roll out finished.

[Fuji]

QZS-1  "MICHIBIKI"

[Fuji]

Go for tanking !

Second Go/NoGo Decision - "Go"
September 11, 2010 10:01 JST
http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/en/mission/countdown/f18.html
All aspects of the operation - the readiness of the launch vehicle, the spacecraft, the launch facility, the vehicle tracking and control system, and weather conditions - have been confirmed, and we are go for propellant loading operations. Preparation for the loading will start soon.