H-IIA
ActiveMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
Aug. 29, 2001
Description
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.
Specifications
-
Stages
2 -
Length
53.0 m -
Diameter
4.0 m -
Fairing Diameter
4.0 m -
Launch Mass
285 T -
Thrust
2260 kN
Family
-
Name
H-IIA -
Family
― -
Variant
202 -
Alias
― -
Full Name
H-IIA 202
Payload Capacity
-
Launch Cost
$90000000 -
Low Earth Orbit
10000 kg -
Geostationary Transfer
Orbit
4100 kg -
Direct Geostationary
― -
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
―
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Commercial
President: Seiji Izumisawa
MHI 1884Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a Japanese multinational engineering, electrical equipment and electronics company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. MHI is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group. MHI's products include aerospace components, air conditioners, aircraft, automotive components, forklift trucks, hydraulic equipment, machine tools, missiles, power generation equipment, printing machines, ships and space launch vehicles. Through its defense-related activities, it is the world's 23rd-largest defense contractor measured by 2011 defense revenues and the largest based in Japan.
Upcoming Spaceflights
H-IIA 202 | IGS Radar 8
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
TBD September, 2024
H-IIA 202 | GOSAT-GW
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
TBD December, 2024
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:
GOSAT-GW (Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite Greenhouse gases and Water cycle), formerly known as GOSAT 3, is JAXA's next generation satellite to monitor the greenhosue gases like carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. It is the follow on to the GOSAT 2 (Ibuki 2) and GCOM-W (Shizuku) missions. GOSAT-GW will have two missions: greenhouse gases observation for Japan's Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and water-cycle observation for JAXA. By developing the GOSAT-GW satellite, Mitsubishi Electric will contribute to measures for preventing disasters attributed to global warming and climate change, and to advance scientific and technological methods that enable more accurate prediction of climate change. In December 2013, Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) was selected as the prime contractor for the spacecraft and the instruments.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
H-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 8
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Jan. 12, 2024, 4:44 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The IGS Optical 8 (Intelligence Gathering Satellite) 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.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | XRISM & SLIM
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Sept. 6, 2023, 11:42 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), formerly the X-Ray Astronomy Recovery Mission (XARM), is a replacement for the Hitomi satellite that malfunctioned few weeks after the launch. Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is a lunar probe that will target a landing on a small crater in Mare Nectaris, an area located near the moon's equator on the side facing Earth.
Lunar Orbit
H-IIA 202 | IGS Radar 7
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Jan. 26, 2023, 1:50 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | QZS-1R
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Oct. 26, 2021, 2:19 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a three-satellite regional time transfer system and the satellite-based augmentation system for the GPS that would be receivable within Japan. The primary purpose of QZSS is to increase the availability of GPS in Japan's numerous urban canyons, where only satellites at very high elevation can be seen. A secondary function is performance enhancement, increasing the accuracy and reliability of GPS derived navigation solutions. QZS-1R is a replacement satellite for QZS-1 which was launched in 2010.
Geosynchronous Transfer OrbitH-IIA 202 | JDRS-1
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Nov. 29, 2020, 7:25 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | Hope (Emirates Mars Mission)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
July 19, 2020, 9:58 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Hope Mars Mission, also known as Al-Amal, is UAE's first interplanetary space probe. It's an orbiter which will study Martian atmosphere and climate with the help of 3 science instruments: Emirates Exploration imager (EXI), Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS), and Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIR). These instruments were designed and built in collaboration with University of Colorado, University of California and Arizona State University. Hope is planned to arrive to Mars in February 2021 and has an expected lifetime of 2 years.
Heliocentric N/AH-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 7
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Feb. 9, 2020, 1:34 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
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.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | KhalifaSat & GOSAT-2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Oct. 29, 2018, 4:08 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
KhalifaSat is an Earth observation satellite for UAE. KhalifaSat will provide high-resolution imagery of Earth to be used for various purposes, including urban planning, change monitoring, area classification, monitoring environmental change and aiding relief efforts for natural disasters. GOSAT 2 (Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite 2) is a Japanese satellite dedicated to greenhouse gas measurement from space. It's a follow on to the GOSAT mission and includes such improvements as an ability to gather more precise data and monitor carbon monoxide concentrations.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit #H2AF40H-IIA 202 | IGS Radar 6
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
June 12, 2018, 4:20 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
IGS Radar is a family of Japanese radar reconnaissance satellites that serve both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring. IGS Radar 5 is the fifth generation of satellites. Equipped with synthetic aperture radar, it is able to image targets even in darkness and bad weather.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 6
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Feb. 27, 2018, 4:34 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | GCOM-C1 & SLATS
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Dec. 23, 2017, 1:26 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
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.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | Michibiki 4 (QZS-4)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Oct. 9, 2017, 10:01 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a three-satellite regional time transfer system and the satellite-based augmentation system for the GPS that would be receivable within Japan. The primary purpose of QZSS is to increase the availability of GPS in Japan's numerous urban canyons, where only satellites at very high elevation can be seen. A secondary function is performance enhancement, increasing the accuracy and reliability of GPS derived navigation solutions. A single satellite weighs about 4000 kg, has an expected lifetime of 15 years and is put in a elliptical, highly inclined geosynchronous orbit.
Geosynchronous Transfer OrbitH-IIA 202 | Michibiki 2 (QZS-2)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
June 1, 2017, 12:17 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a three-satellite regional time transfer system and the satellite-based augmentation system for the GPS that would be receivable within Japan. The primary purpose of QZSS is to increase the availability of GPS in Japan's numerous urban canyons, where only satellites at very high elevation can be seen. A secondary function is performance enhancement, increasing the accuracy and reliability of GPS derived navigation solutions. A single satellite weighs about 4000 kg, has an expected lifetime of 15 years and is put in a elliptical, highly inclined geosynchronous orbit.
Geosynchronous Transfer OrbitH-IIA 202 | IGS Radar 5
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
March 17, 2017, 1:20 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
IGS Radar is a family of Japanese radar reconnaissance satellites that serve both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring. IGS Radar 5 is the fifth generation of satellites. Equipped with synthetic aperture radar, it is able to image targets even in darkness and bad weather.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | Himawari-9
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Nov. 2, 2016, 6:20 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Himawari-9 is a geostationary weather satellite operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. It will be placed at 140 degrees East and will replace Himawari-8 in 2022. The satellite is about 3,500 kilograms and has a design life of around 15 years with operational life lasting 8 years.The main instrument aboard is a 16 channel multispectral imager to capture visible light and infrared images of the Asian-Pacific region.
Geostationary Transfer OrbitH-IIA 202 | Astro-H (Hitomi)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Feb. 17, 2016, 8:45 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Astro-H is the 6th satellite in a series of X-ray telescopes by JAXA and ISAS. Its 4 instruments on board will cover the X-ray and Gamma ray regions. This region consists of photons with energy ranging from 0.3-600keV, and the telescope will provide the highest resolution ever achieved of 3-10 keV bands. The craft weighs 2.7 tonnes and will be placed into a circular orbit 575km above the ground, with an inclination of 31 degrees.
Low Earth OrbitH-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 5
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
March 26, 2015, 1:21 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | IGS Radar Spare
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Feb. 1, 2015, 1:21 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | Hayabusa-2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Dec. 3, 2014, 4:22 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Hayabusa2 (Japanese: はやぶさ2, "Peregrine falcon 2") is an asteroid sample-return mission operated by the Japanese space agency, JAXA. It follows on from the Hayabusa mission which returned asteroid samples in June 2010. Hayabusa2 carries multiple science payloads for remote sensing, sampling, and four small rovers that investigated the asteroid surface to inform the environmental and geological context of the samples collected.
Heliocentric N/AH-IIA 202 | Himawari-8
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Oct. 7, 2014, 5:16 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | ALOS-2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
May 24, 2014, 3:05 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
ALOS 2 (Advanced Land Observation Satellite 2) is a planned radar Earth observation satellite to be used for cartography, regional observation, disaster monitoring, and resource surveying. It is the follow up to the radar component of ALOS (Daichi)
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | GPM-Core
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Feb. 27, 2014, 6:37 p.m.
H-IIA 202 | IGS Radar 4 & IGS Optical 5V
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Jan. 27, 2013, 4:40 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The IGS Radar 4 & Optical 5V (Intelligence Gathering Satellite) are Japanese radar and optical reconnaissance satellites. The satellites are operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center. The satellites serve both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | GCOM-W1
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
May 17, 2012, 4:39 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The GCOM-W (Global Change Observation Mission - Water) or Shizuku satellite aims to construct, use, and verify systems that enable continuous global-scale observations (for 10 to 15 years) of effective geophysical parameters for elucidating global climate change and water circulation mechanisms. Water circulation changes will be observed by a microwave radiometer onboard the GCOM-W (Water) satellite (scheduled to be launched in Japan Fiscal Year 2011). The GCOM-W will observe precipitation, vapor amounts, wind velocity above the ocean, sea water temperatures, water levels on land areas and snow depths. Climate change observation will be performed by a multi-wavelength optical radiometer onboard the GCOM-C (Climate) satellite (under consideration) on clouds, aerosol, seawater color (marine organisms), vegetation, snow and ice. These satellites will enable us to perform comprehensive observations of the surface layer of the Earth such as the atmosphere, including clouds, land, oceans and the cryosphere. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) is a sensor to observe radiometers, or microwaves emitted naturally from the ground, sea surface and atmosphere, using 6 different frequency bands ranging from 7 GHz to 89 GHz. The strength of a natural microwave is determined by its characteristics and moisture, including the surface condition and temperature of the material. Although it depends on the frequency, the microwave is very weak. AMSR2 will detect such weak microwaves at an altitude of 700 kilometers and measure the strength of them with a very high accuracy. For example, by measuring the strength of a microwave emitted from the sea surface with the AMSR2, one can understand the water temperature of the sea surface to an accuracy of 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | IGS Radar 3
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Dec. 12, 2011, 1:21 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 4
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Sept. 23, 2011, 4:36 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | Michibiki (QZS-1)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Sept. 11, 2010, 11:17 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a three-satellite regional time transfer system and the satellite-based augmentation system for the GPS that would be receivable within Japan. The primary purpose of QZSS is to increase the availability of GPS in Japan's numerous urban canyons, where only satellites at very high elevation can be seen. A secondary function is performance enhancement, increasing the accuracy and reliability of GPS derived navigation solutions. A single satellite weighs about 4000 kg, has an expected lifetime of 15 years and is put in a elliptical, highly inclined geosynchronous orbit.
Geosynchronous Transfer OrbitH-IIA 202 | Akatsuki (Planet-C)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
May 20, 2010, 9:58 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Planet-C or VCO (Venus Climate Orbiter, renamed Akatsuki after launch) is a Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) mission to study the dynamics of the atmosphere of Venus from orbit, particularly the upper atmosphere super-rotation and the three-dimensional motion in the lower part of the atmosphere, using multi-wavelength imaging. It will also measure atmospheric temperatures and look for evidence of volcanic activity and lightning. The scientific payload consists primarily of cameras in the near-infrared range. The Planet-C main bus is a 1.6 m × 1.6 m × 1.25 m box with two solar array paddles, each with an area of 1.4 square meters, on opposite (+y and -y) sides and a 1.6 m high gain antenna on the +x side. On the opposite side (-x) from the antenna is a 0.45 m long orbital maneuvering engine. The total launch mass of the spacecraft will be 640 kg, including 320 kg of propellants and 34 kg of scientific instruments. The spacecraft was to go into a near equatorial Venus orbit with an apoapsis of about 60,000 to 80,000 km and a very low periapsis. On 7 December 2010, Akatsuki failed to enter orbit around Venus due to a malfunction in the propulsion system. An unexpected pressure drop in the spacecraft's fuel line, or possibly damage to the probe's engine nozzle, are the likely causes. JAXA plans to manoeuvre the probe to try it again five years later. Tests of the engine in September 2011 resulted in low thrust. The back-up option is to use the RCS for orbit insertion. To enable this, the oxidizer needs to be dumped to reduce the weight of the probe. This will result in a less than optimal orbit. On 7 December 2015, another attempt to enter orbit was successful, this time using the RCS thrusters. It entered a 400 km × ~440000 km orbit of ~3° inclination with an orbital period of 13 days and 14 hours. Also on board is IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun), a experimental a solar sail. It is the world's first solar powered sail craft employing both photon propulsion and thin film solar power generation during its interplanetary cruise. After separation from the carrier rocket, it spun at up to 20 rpm, deploying the membrane and generating solar power by means of thin film solar cells (minimum success level) within several weeks. Acceleration and navigation using the solar sail will then be demonstrated (full success level) within half a year. The shape of the membrane is square, with a diagonal distance of 20m. It is made of polyimide a mere 0.0075 mm thick. In addition to the thin film solar cells, the steering devices and dust-counter sensors are fitted to the membrane. The membrane is deployed, and kept flat, by its spinning motion. Four masses are attached to the four tips of the membrane in order to facilitate deployment. Deployment is in two stages. During the first stage, the membrane is deployed statically, and during the second stage, dynamically. This deployment method can be realized with simpler and lighter mechanisms than conventional mast or boom types as it does not require rigid structural elements. After successfully unfolding the solar sail IKAROS deployed two tiny subsatellites called DCAM 1 and 2 to photograph the deployed sail.
Heliocentric N/AH-IIA 202 | IGS-Optical 3
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Nov. 28, 2009, 1:21 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | GOSAT
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Jan. 23, 2009, 3:54 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Sept. 11, 2006, 4:35 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The IGS-Optical (Intelligence Gathering Satellite), built by Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO), is an optical reconnaissance satellite with a projected life of 5 years. The satellite will be operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center. The 850 kg IGS-Optical 1 is equipped with an optical sensor. The resolution is probably about 1 meter. The satellite serves both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitH-IIA 202 | Midori-2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Dec. 14, 2002, 1:31 a.m.
H-IIA 202 | LRE
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Aug. 29, 2001, 7 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.1 (H-IIA/F1) was launched at 4:00 p.m. on August 29, 2001, Japan Standard Time, from Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle was successfully lifted off with its flight azimuth of 90 degrees. The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.1 flied normally, and the second stage was successfully injected into the geostationary transfer orbit. The separation of the Laser Ranging Equipment (LRE) was confirmed about 39 minutes and 47 seconds after the lift-off.
Geosynchronous Transfer OrbitLong March 6C
Maiden Flight
Launch Complex 9A - Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of ChinaCarried 4 Earth observation satellites to orbit: * Haiwangxing-01, 239 kg X-band SAR satellite built by SAST for Zhihui Space Tech * Zhixing-1C, X-…
Falcon 9
Starlink Group 6-57
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral, FL, USAA batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Long March 5
Chang'e 6
101 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of ChinaChang'e 6/CE-6 is scheduled to launch in 2024 to return samples from the Far Side of the Moon (near southern edge of the Apollo Basin) for the first …
SR75
Maiden Flight
Pad 1 - Koonibba Test Range, South AustraliaTest flight of HyImpulse's SR75 sounding rocket
Falcon 9
Starlink Group 6-55
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral, FL, USAA batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
