H-IIA 202 | GCOM-C1 & SLATS
GCOM-C1 is another satellite in JAXA’s Earth observation Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM) constellation. This spacecraft is the first satellite in GCOM-C series and is intended to operate in sun-synchronous orbit for 5 years. It aims to collect surface and atmospheric measurements in order to monitor global climate change. Along with it is launched an engineering test satellite SLATS (Super Low Altitude Test Satellite), which is an attempt to develop techniques to operate a satellite in extremely low orbits. SLATS will try achieve that by maintaining position in orbit via ion engines. It will also collect data on atmosphere density and measure atomic oxygen in such low altitudes.
H-IIA (H2A) is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch Akatsuki, which studied the planet Venus. Launches occur at the Tanegashima Space Center.
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Mission Profile
GCOM-C1 & SLATS was a H-IIA 202 mission operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that lifted off from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan on December 23, 2017. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The launch was a success.