Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesH-IIA 202Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
IGS Optical 7
Launched
February 9, 2020
Image: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Summary
IGS Optical 7 launched on a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA 202 from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan on February 9, 2020. It was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries's 41st launch, 1st this year and humanity's 5,931st orbital launch attempt. It was the 27th H-IIA 202 flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.
- Watch
- Vehicle
- H-IIA 202 · Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Government/Top Secret · Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
- Milestone
- 27th H-IIA 202 flight · 1st this yearMitsubishi Heavy Industries's 41st launch1st this yearhumanity's 5,931st orbital launch attempt9th orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage; 1 still in orbit
- JSE kougaku 7 gouki · NORAD 45165 · in orbit
H-2A F41 Stage 2 · re-entered April 22, 2024
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
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.
Pad
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
48th launch from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, 1st this year · 80th from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
57 launches from this pad · 99 from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
467 days after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Tanegashima Space Center, JapanOpen in maps
Questions
When did IGS Optical 7 launch?
IGS Optical 7 launched on February 9, 2020. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch IGS Optical 7?
Coverage: 【現地中継】H-2Aロケット41号機 情報収集衛星 光学7号機 再打上げ / H-2A Rocket F41 IGS Optical-7 Re-Launch; H-2Aロケット41号機 情報収集衛星 光学7号 打上げ中止に関する記者会見. Watch the replay
What rocket launched IGS Optical 7?
H-IIA 202, flown by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. H-IIA 202 spec sheet
Where did IGS Optical 7 launch from?
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.
What orbit was IGS Optical 7 going to?
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a government/top secret mission.
How many satellites did IGS Optical 7 launch?
1 payload from this launch is catalogued, still in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).