flown missionSuccess

H-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 7

Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesYoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1 — Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

mission

Name
IGS Optical 7
Type
Government/Top Secret
Target orbit
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)

Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) is a Japanese governmental spy satellite program. IGS Optical 7, as the name suggests, is an optical reconnaissance satellite. Japan began development of IGS in the late 1990s, following North Korea’s attempted satellite launch in 1998. Although the North Korean launch failed to reach orbit, the rocket carrying it crossed Japan during its ascent, sparking fears that North Korean missiles would be able to target the islands. With IGS, Japan aimed to develop an independent reconnaissance capability to monitor future threats. The constellation can also be used for disaster monitoring and other civilian applications by the Japanese government.

schedule

NET (no earlier than)
Window opens
Window closes
Last updated

vehicle & provider

Rocket
H-IIA 202
Family
H-II
Variant
202
Provider
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Type
Commercial
Country
JPN

webcasts

launch site

Pad
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
Location
Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Country
JPN
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo