July 4, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU onboard sensor (AMSR2) acquired observation data!
SHIZUKU onboard sensor (AMSR2) acquired observation data! JAXA acquired observation data on the Earth from the Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-W1). The SHIZUKU was launched on May 18, 2012 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center and started regular observations by the onboard sensor, Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2,) on July 3 after entering into the A-train orbit on June 29. The data was acquired by the AMSR2. We will continue the initial functional verification, then confirm data accuracy and perform initial calibration and inspection operations including data correction.We would like to thank all of you who support the launch of the SHIZUKU through this special site. Updated information will be posted on the SHIZUKU project page.
July 2, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU inserted into A-Train orbit!
JAXA confirmed that the Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water “SHIZUKU” was inserted into a planned position on the A-Train orbit. The SHIZUKU was launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21 from the Tanegashima Space Center on May 18.The A-train, or the Afternoon Constellation, is a cooperative Earth observation system that consists of multiple satellites from some countries. Japan has participated in the system for the first time with the SHIZUKU. JAXA will verify observation performance of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) aboard the SHIZUKU.
June 6, 2012 Updated
SDS-4 received Automatic Identification System (AIS) from ships
The AIS receiver aboard the Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (SDS-4) launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle on May 18 was confirmed to receive automatic identification system (AIS) from ships cruising around Japan. The SDS-4 was launched as a secondary payload with the main payload, the Global Change Observation Mission 1st- Water “SHIZUKU”.We will continue our engineering verification of the satellite AIS receiver by receiving AIS not only from Japan’s adjoining seas but also in other waters. In addition, we will cooperate with the Japan Coast Guard, the Kanto Regional Development Bureau, and the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management to study satellite AIS data applications.
Image: AIS signal acquisition image by Space-based AIS Experiment (SPAISE)
May 20, 2012 Updated
SDS-4 moved into the initial phase
The Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (SDS-4) launched on May 18 as a secondary payload with the Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" completed its critical phase operations on May 20, and moved to the initial phase. We will take about one month to conduct the initial functional confirmation operations.
May 19, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU critical phase completed!
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU", which was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on May 18, completed its critical operations as it was successfully inserted into the initial orbit and finished the AMSR2 run-up and other essential events normally. JAXA will take about 45 days to insert the satellite into the "A-Train orbit" in order to participate in an Earth observation mission called the "A-Train" in cooperation with satellites of other countries while performing the initial functional confirmation for about three months.
May 18, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU's AMSR2 antenna successfully deployed
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" successfully deployed its onboard Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR), and the scene was shot by an onboard camera. The AMSR2 measures electromagnetic waves called microwaves emitted from nature such as the ground and ocean surface. It is an important sensor that observes water such as precipitation, vapor volume and the depth of snow.
May 18, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU: Successful solar array paddle deployment and initial orbit insertion
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water “SHIZUKU” captured its successful solar array paddle deployment by an onboard camera over Australia. After SHIZUKU's orbit calculation, JAXA confirmed that the satellite was injected into the scheduled initial orbit. The SHIZUKU will deploy its onboard Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR).
News Flash [2]
) (2:00p.m.)May 18, 2012 Updated
Successful launch of H-IIA F 21 with SHIZUKU and SDS-4 aboard!
The launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21 with The Global Change Observation Satellite 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" and Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (SDS-4) aboard was successfully performed at 1:39 a.m. on May 18 (Fri.) 2012 (Japan Standard Time). The launch vehicle flew normally and separated the SHIZUKU at about 22 minutes and 59 seconds after liftoff. Then, the Small Demonstration Stellite-4 (SDS-4) was also confirmed to be successfully separated as scheduled. The SHIZUKU will conduct critical phase operations including deploying the AMSR2 antenna. We await your support messages!
News Flash [1]
May 14, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU Launch Live broadcast to start at 1:10 a.m. on May 18!
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water “SHIZUKU” will be launched this weekend, at 1:39 a.m. on May 18 (Fri.) from the Tanegashima Space Center. JAXA will broadcast the live launch report from around 1:10 a.m. on May 18. You can watch it through some cable TV stations or websites, and via cell phones and smart phones. Please watch the SHIZUKU launch with us in real time!
May 8, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU to be launched next weekend!
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water “SHIZUKU” was encapsulated by the payload fairing on May 4 (Fri) at the Tanegashima Space Center. The satellite is now in the very final preparation phase for launch scheduled next weekend.At the SHIZUKU special site (at the Japanese site only), we publish photos of hand-made craft of the SHIZUKU made by many of you. We continue to accept support messages as well as your hand-made SHIZUKU craft. Please join us!
May 1, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU mated with the Payload Attach Fitting
On April 26, the Global Change observation Mission 1st-Water "SHIZUKU" was mounted onto the payload adapter called the "Payload Attach Fitting," or PAF, at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building at the Tanegashima Space Center. The PAF is a connection part between the satellite and the launch vehicle. The launch site operations are smoothly in progress, and the SHIZUKU will be covered by the fairing and loaded onto the launch vehicle.
April 4, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU revealed to the media at TNSC
On April 4, the media was invited to have a look at the Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water “SHIZUKU” at the Tanegashima Space Center.The SHIZUKU (GCOM-W1) is installed with the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) to observe precipitation, vapor amounts, wind velocity above the ocean, sea water temperature, water levels on land areas, ocean ice area, and snow depths. The data acquired by the SHIZUKU is expected to be utilized for various fields including research on global environmental changes, weather forecasts, and fisheries.
The satellite will soon be in final launch preparation operations to be ready for its launch on May 18.
March 21, 2012 Updated
Launch date set for SHIZUKU & SDS-4 on H-IIA F21! Special site now available!
The launch date and time for the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21 (H-IIA F21) with the Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-W1) onboard was decided to be at around 1:39 a.m. on May 18 (Fri.,) 2012. The Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (SDS-4) will also be launched by the H-IIA F21 as a secondary payload.We opened a special site for the SHIZUKU, which is slated for launch in May. We will publish columns by project team members. Please have a look.