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February 27, 2006 Updated

JAXA acquired image data on disaster-hit Leyte Island through the "Daichi"

JAXA took and analyzed image data on Leyte Island, where a huge landslide occurred, through the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) aboard the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite "Daichi." We have provided the data to the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" and the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC).

Press Release
Advanced Land Observing Satellite "Daichi" (ALOS)
Earth Observation Research and Application Center
Earth Observation Center

February 22, 2006 Updated

ASTRO-F/M-V-8 successfully launched
Nickname is "Akari"

JAXA launched the 21st Scientific Satellite (ASTRO-F) aboard the M-V Launch Vehicle No. 8 (M-V-8) at 6:28 a.m. on February 22, 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC).
The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and it was confirmed that the satellite was safely injected into its scheduled orbit.
The in-orbit ASTRO-F was given a nickname of "Akari" (meaning a "light.")
We would like to express our appreciation for the cooperation and support from all related organizations and people who helped contribute to the successful launch of the ASTRO-F/M-V-8.

-Press Release

February 21, 2006 Updated

ASTRO-F/M-V-8 launch postponed
The new launch day is the 22nd

JAXA announced that the launch of the 21st Scientific Satellite, ASTRO-F, by the M-V Launch Vehicle No. 8 (M-V-8) was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.
The launch was originally scheduled on February 21 (JST). The new launch date and time are at 6:28 a.m. on February 22 (Wed.)

-Press Release

February 20, 2006 Updated

ASFTRO-F/M-V-8 launch set for tomorrow

While preparing for the launch tomorrow, the ASTRO-F/M-V-8 underwent a simplified operational checkup on Feb. 18. Preparations are progressing smoothly.
The launch time is set at 6:28 on February 21 (Tue,) and the final terminal time schedule will start in the evening of the 20th. The live launch report will start one hour prior to the launch.

-ASTRO-F/M-V-8 Count Down
-Live Launch Broadcast
Photo: Operational Checkup on the 10th at Uchinoura

February 18, 2006 Updated

MTSAT-2/H-IIA F9 launch successful

Rocket System Corporation (RSC) and the JAXA launched the Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2 (MTSAT-2) aboard the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 9 (H-IIA F9) at 3:27 p.m. on February 18, 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center.
The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 28 minutes and 11 seconds after liftoff, the separation and injection of the MTSAT-2 into a Geostationary transfer orbit were confirmed.
We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch of the MTSAT-2 aboard the H-IIA F9.

* Launch operations for the H-IIA F9 are commissioned by Rocket System Corporation.
*The MTSAT-2 is owned by the Civil Aviation Bureau and the Japan Meteorological Agency, which fall under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.


-press release
-MTSAT-2/H-IIA F9 Countdown (RSC)

February 17, 2006 Updated

Unprecedented consecutive launches in Japan with H-IIA and M-V

The H-IIA F9 launch with the MTSAT-2 onboard is fast approaching. It is scheduled for Feb. 18 (Sat.) Only three days after the H-IIA launch, the M-V F8 with the infrared astronomical satellite, ASTRO-F, aboard, is scheduled to be launched on Feb. 21 (Tue.) Preparations for both launch vehicles are smoothly underway. * Launch operations for the H-IIA F9 are commissioned by Rocket System Corporation.

The MTSAT-2 is owned by the Civil Aviation Bureau and the Japan Meteorological Agency, which fall under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

-MTSAT-2/H-IIA F9 Countdown (Live Broadcast Program, etc. by RSC)
-VISIT JAXA (Launch Observation)
-Tanegashima Live Camera
-ASTRO-F (IRIS; Infrared Imaging Surveyor)

February 17, 2006 Updated

Mt. Fuji and Shizuoka City during the night and Tanegashima observed by visible to infrared lights
First images acquired by the PALSAR and AVNIR-2 of the "Daichi"

JAXA released the images of Mt. Fuji and Shizuoka City observed during the night by the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) and the image of Tanegahima by the Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type-2 (AVNIR-2). Both sensors are aboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite “Daichi.” The Daichi is the only satellite that can perform high resolution observations of one specific area with both light and radio frequency by using the two sensors.

For high resolution images, please check the press releases.
* The PALSAR was developed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in cooperation with JAXA.
+ Press Release (PRISM)
+ Press Release (PALSAR)
+ Press Release (AVNIR-2)

+ JAXA Office of Space Applications ("Satellite Navigator")
+ JAXA Earth Observation Center (EOC)
+ JAXA Earth Observation Research and application Center (EORC)
+ Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center (ERSDAC)

February 15, 2006 Updated

Mt. Fuji and Shimizu Port are clear in the first image data from the "Daichi"

Image data has been acquired by the Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument of Stereo Mapping (PRISM) onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite "Daichi." The clear 3-D image of Mt. Fuji and the detailed image of the Shimizu Port area prove the high performance of the sensor.

Press Release (high resolution images available)
  Image data acquired by the PRISM onboard the "Daichi"

February 13, 2006 Updated

Two satellites mated with launch vehicles

Two satellites that will be launched from Tanegashima and Uchinoura respectively have been smoothly undergoing preparations for launch.
For further updates, please check the countdown page (click the above banner.)

Photos:
(Left) The fairing loaded onto the H-IIA F9* (Feb. 10, in Tanegashima)
(Right) The angle of the launcher fixed for M-V F8 (in the evening of Feb 10, in Uchinoura)
(*The H-IIA F9 launch is commissioned by Rocket System Corporation.)

-MTSAT-2/H-IIA F9 Countdown
-ASTRO-F (IRIS; Infrared Imaging Surveyor)

February 7, 2006 Updated

Launch operations progressing smoothly

The preparation of two satellites that will be launched from Tanegashima and Uchinoura, respectively, are being carried out on schedule. Please refer to the Countdown sites (from the banners above) for the latest information.

Photo: The nose fairing assembly for the ASTRO-F/M-V-8 (Feb. 6)

-ASTRO-F (IRIS; Infrared Imaging Surveyor)

February 1, 2006 Updated

Two consecutive launch schedules on February 18 (Tanegashima) and 21 (Uchinoura)

Today, JAXA reported the following two launch schedules to the Space Activities Commission.

- From 3:26 thru 4:44 p.m. on February 18 (Wed), 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST): Multi-functional Transport Satellite-2 (MTSAT-2) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 9

(The launch site operations (mainly the operations starting four days
prior to the launch day) are commissioned to JAXA by Rocket System
Corporation)

- From 6:00 thru 7:00 a.m. on February 21, 2006 (JST): Infrared Astronomical Satellite "ASTRO-F" by M-V Launch Vehicle No. 8

- Press Release
  MTSAT-2/H-IIA F9
  ASTRO-R/M-V-8

-MTSAT-2/H-IIA F9 Countdown
-ASTRO-F (IRIS; Infrared Imaging Surveyor)