And if Fuji or anyone else is around - I assume this IGS launch is a direct follow on from the Optical 4 mission? (Such as this is the next IGS bird in line)?
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 12/11/2011 11:58 pmAnd if Fuji or anyone else is around - I assume this IGS launch is a direct follow on from the Optical 4 mission? (Such as this is the next IGS bird in line)?Not quite: the payload is the 4th radar satellite to reach the launch pad (one of which failed to reach orbit, in 2003). The last one failed more than a year ago, leaving the Japanese without the capability for all-weather surveillance.
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/12/2011 12:03 amQuote from: Chris Bergin on 12/11/2011 11:58 pmAnd if Fuji or anyone else is around - I assume this IGS launch is a direct follow on from the Optical 4 mission? (Such as this is the next IGS bird in line)?Not quite: the payload is the 4th radar satellite to reach the launch pad (one of which failed to reach orbit, in 2003). The last one failed more than a year ago, leaving the Japanese without the capability for all-weather surveillance. Ah yes, the one which will come back down to Earth in 2012/13. So this returns the radar capability?