Successful QZSS launch

News & Press: Space

31 October 2021 (0 Comments)

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The past week has seen an addition to the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System.

The H-2A rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, at 0219 UTC on 26 October. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries confirmed ~28 minutes after liftoff that the satellite had successfully separated from the rocket's upper stage.

The primary purpose of QZSS is to increase the availability of GPS in the numerous urban canyons and mountainous areas in Japan where only satellites at very high elevations can be seen.

There have been 4 satellites (QZS-1 to -4) in the constellation since 2018, one in geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) and 3 in quasi zenith orbits (QZO), all around the Japanese longitude. This launch of QZS-1R, is to replace QZS-1, launched in 2010. It is planned to have 7 satellites in the constellation by 2024.

Using GPS and their own frequencies, the system claims public basic PNT accuracy of <10 m, with SBAS providing a sub-meter level augmentation service (SLAS) of <1 m and centimeter level augmentation service (CLAS) of <10 cm.

Further details from qzss.go.jp