H3-22S F5 : QZS-6 : Tanegashima : February 1, 2025 (08:30 UTC)

[GewoonLukas_]

Mitsubishi Electric revealed the QZS-6 satellite today. Will launch at the end of FY2024 (Q1 2025), and before QZS-5:

The fuselage of the quasi-zenith satellite system "Michibiki" No. 6 was released. Seven-aircraft team advances toward Japan's unique positioning
2024/11/27

On November 27, Mitsubishi Electric unveiled the completed prototype of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System "Michibiki" No. 6 to the press at the company's Kamakura Plant. It is scheduled to be launched by the end of 2024 on the H3 rocket. In the future, with a seven-spacer system that includes the 5th and 7th satellites, which are scheduled to be launched in FY2025, we aim to realize a continuous positioning service that does not depend on systems from other countries, such as GPS.

[...]

The main specifications of the Michibiki Unit 6 released to the press this time are as follows. The H3 rocket will be launched in the H3-22S form (two LE-9 engines, two SRB-3s, and a short fairing).

- Orbit: Geostationary Orbit
- Size after deployment in orbit: Approx. 19 m in total length
- Paddle generation power (EOL), configuration: 6.7 kW, 2 panels, 2 blades
- Weight (dry/launch): Approx. 1.9 t/Approx. 4.9 t
- Installed transmission (weight/power consumption): 575kg/2.7kW
- Design life: more than 15 years

[...]

(Google Translate from Japanese)

QZS-6 also carries a Space Situational Awareness payload for the US Space Force:

Space Force delivers second U.S. payload to be hosted on Japanese satellite
U.S. optical sensors will be hosted on QZSS satellites
May 18, 2023

The U.S. Space Force announced May 17 it has delivered the second of two payloads to be hosted on Japanese satellites under an agreement the United States signed with Japan in 2020.

The two U.S. payloads are optical sensors developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory. They will be hosted on Japan’s geostationary Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) satellites. The first payload was delivered earlier this year.

These payloads will augment the Space Force’s space domain awareness capabilities, the Space Systems Command said in a news release.

[...]

There are currently three QZSS operational satellites, and three more are projected to launch in the next two years, QZS-5, QZS-6 and QZS-7. The U.S. payloads will be hosted on vehicles 6 and 7.

[...]

[GewoonLukas_]

USSF says launch is in Early-2025, with QZS-7 set to launch in early FY2026 (Q2 2026):

First Japanese satellite hosting U.S. payload successfully integrated and ready
for delivery to launch site
December 9, 2024

Less than four years after the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and Japan’s Cabinet Office signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding to launch two U.S. payloads on Japan’s Quasi Zenith Satellite System, the first Japanese host satellite with a U.S. payload celebrated the milestone of successful installation and cleared ready for delivery to the launch site at Japan’s Tanegashima National Space Center.

[...]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL) designed and developed the Space Domain Awareness optical payloads. The first of two Japanese host satellites, QZS-6, is scheduled to launch from Japan’s Tanegashima National Space Center in early 2025. Assembly, Integration, and Test of the second Japanese host satellite, QZS-7, is actively underway with launch on track in early Fiscal Year 2026.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

USSF says launch is in Early-2025, with QZS-7 set to launch in early FY2026 (Q2 2026):

First Japanese satellite hosting U.S. payload successfully integrated and ready
for delivery to launch site
December 9, 2024

Less than four years after the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and Japan’s Cabinet Office signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding to launch two U.S. payloads on Japan’s Quasi Zenith Satellite System, the first Japanese host satellite with a U.S. payload celebrated the milestone of successful installation and cleared ready for delivery to the launch site at Japan’s Tanegashima National Space Center.

[...]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL) designed and developed the Space Domain Awareness optical payloads. The first of two Japanese host satellites, QZS-6, is scheduled to launch from Japan’s Tanegashima National Space Center in early 2025. Assembly, Integration, and Test of the second Japanese host satellite, QZS-7, is actively underway with launch on track in early Fiscal Year 2026.

Unfortunately fiscal year definitions for the United States and Japan cannot be more different - for the US government a fiscal year actually starts in October of the previous calendar year. So that could even mean a late 2025 launch for QZS-7!

The new yearly Japanese Space Policy Plan released today shows the QZS-5 and 7 launches in the 2nd half of their own FY2025, i.e. probably late 2025-early 2026.

https://twitter.com/jnu_/status/1866317943870734379

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Confirmed for launch on February 1, 2025 at 08:30-10:30 UTC: https://www.jaxa.jp/press/2024/12/20241211-1_j.html
(mission booklet attached below)

JAXA also confirmed the recent test firing failure of the Epsilon-S 2nd stage has no impact on this launch.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Confirmed for launch on February 1, 2025 at 08:30-10:30 UTC: https://www.jaxa.jp/press/2024/12/20241211-1_j.html
(mission booklet attached below)

JAXA also confirmed the recent test firing failure of the Epsilon-S 2nd stage has no impact on this launch.

https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2024/12/20241211-1_e.html


Launch Schedule of MICHIBIKI No. 6, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-6) aboard the 5th H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F5)

December 11, 2024 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) hereby announces the launch schedule of MICHIBIKI No. 6, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-6) aboard the 5th H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F5: Flight No.5) as follows.

The impact on the H3 launch vehicle of the combustion anomaly during the static firing test of the Epsilon S second-stage motor has been assessed as shown in the attachment.
Launch date : February 1, 2025
Launch Window : 17:30 (JST) through 19:30 (JST)
 The time is the 24-hour clock
Reserved Launch Period    : February 2 through March 31, 2025
Launch site : Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center


Impact assessment on the H3 launch vehicle of the combustion anomaly during the Static Firing Test of the Epsilon S Second-Stage Motor

After the combustion anomaly during the Static Firing Test of the Epsilon S Second-Stage Motor (E-21) on November 26, 2024 (JST), we assessed the impact of the accident on the Solid Rocket Booster of H3 (SRB-3) which uses a solid motor like the E-21.
Although the motor design of the SRB-3 is different from that of the E-21, we have re-evaluated, including some common points (igniter booster and some materials), the development results of the previous static firing tests and other tests, as well as the flight results up to the 4th H3 Launch Vehicle. As a result, we have confirmed once again that the design of the SRB-3 has all been well verified. Furthermore, we have reconfirmed that there is nothing unusual in the inspection data of the SRB-3 manufactured for the 5th H3 Launch Vehicle.
Based on these assessment results, we have determined that there are no concerns regarding the flight of the SRB-3.