Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesH-IIA 202Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

IGS Optical 4

Launched

September 23, 2011

Launch Successful

Image: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Summary

IGS Optical 4 launched on a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA 202 from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan on September 23, 2011. It was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries's 14th launch, 2nd this year and humanity's 5,159th orbital launch attempt. It was the 8th H-IIA 202 flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). 4 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.

Watch: No webcast on record.
Vehicle: H-IIA 202 · Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Booster: No booster details on record.
Mission: Government/Top Secret · Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
Milestone: 8th H-IIA 202 flight · 1st this yearMitsubishi Heavy Industries's 14th launch2nd this yearhumanity's 5,159th orbital launch attempt53rd orbital launch attempt this year

Flight preview

Catalogued objects

4 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage, 2 components; 1 still in orbit

JSE kougaku 4 gouki · NORAD 37813 · in orbit

H-2A F19 Stage 2 · re-entered July 11, 2025

Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org

About this launch

The IGS Optical 4 is a Japanese optical reconnaissance satellite. The satellite is operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center. The satellite serves both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring.

Pad

Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

26th launch from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, 1st this year · 52nd from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

57 launches from this pad · 99 from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

376 days after the previous launch from this pad

All launches from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan Open in maps

Questions

When did IGS Optical 4 launch?

IGS Optical 4 launched on September 23, 2011. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.

Where can I watch IGS Optical 4?

No webcast is on record for this launch.

What rocket launched IGS Optical 4?

H-IIA 202, flown by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. H-IIA 202 spec sheet

Where did IGS Optical 4 launch from?

Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.

What orbit was IGS Optical 4 going to?

Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a government/top secret mission.

How many satellites did IGS Optical 4 launch?

1 payload from this launch is catalogued, still in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).