GOSAT (IBUKI) (33492)

COSPAR: 2009-002A | Alt Name: Ibuki

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

January 23, 2009

Launch Site

TANSC

Launch Pad

Launch Vehicle

H-IIA 202

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

33492

International Designator

2009-002A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:08:26 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

98.09°

Right Ascension

295.92°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

82.90°

Period

98.12 min

Mean Motion

14.68 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

GOSAT (IBUKI)

Alternative Name

Ibuki

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

JAXA

Country

Japan

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 33492U 09002A   26185.04753272  .00000267  00000-0  55583-4 0  9999

2 33492  98.0906 295.9187 0001280  82.9048 277.2302 14.67539881933930

Source: Celestrak

Summary

GOSAT (IBUKI) is an Earth Observation satellite, officially designated as 2009-002A and NORAD_CAT_ID 33492. Launched on January 23, 2009, from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan using a H-IIA 202 launch vehicle, it was manufactured by MELCO and operated by JAXA. The satellite has dimensions of 3.7 meters in length, 1.8 meters in diameter, and spans 13.7 meters with its solar arrays deployed. It weighs 1750 kg both at launch and dry mass. GOSAT is designed to observe the Earth's atmosphere, equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its mission lifetime was projected to be five years. The satellite has a box shape with two panels and an RCS of 4.6494.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.7

Diameter

1.8

Span

13.7

Dry Mass

1750

Launch Mass

1750

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

4.6494

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

GOSAT

Purpose

Earth Observation

Mission

Earth Observation

Manufacturer

MELCO

Life Expectancy

5 years

Bus

GOSAT

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.

Latitude

Longitude

Next Pass

Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

Start Azimuth

Max Elevation

Stop Azimuth

Time Until

Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

The End of Free Skies | FAA Starts Charging for Rocket Launches

On April 22, 2026, the FAA published a final rule implementing per-launch user fees for commercial space transportation — the first time the U.S. government has charged payload-based fees for rocket launches. Starting at 25 cents per pound with a $30,000 cap, the fees are modest today. By 2033, they won't be.

DROID.002 - Turion Space's Eyes on the Orbital Junkyard

A 90-kilogram spacecraft with iodine thrusters and two Australian-built cameras is quietly building the case that tracking space debris is a business worth billions - and that a four-year-old startup from Irvine can own it.

X Report 22 Aug 2025

SpaceX successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's eighth X-37B spaceplane mission while preparing for an upcoming Starship launch. Meanwhile, the company continues to expand its Starlink satellite constellation.

Space Brief 6 Aug 2025

Highlights of today's Space Brief include advancements in missile defense systems, a historic lunar project by NASA, and strategic military investments in satellite technology.

Today in Space History 2025

From Apollo's darkest days to humanity's first transmission from Venus, we spent 2025 remembering the missions that made modern spaceflight possible. Here's what we covered - and why we're committed to keeping this series going.

Space Brief 23 Mar 2025

Discover today's fascinating space events, from exceptional aurora displays to potential exomoon formations, alongside intriguing satellite insights.

Space Brief 6 Nov 2025

Today's briefing covers Iceye's new aerospace service for defense clients, ESA's plan for dual-use satellites, and key defense agreements impacting satellite technology.

Space Brief 6 Mar 2025

Today's brief covers secret Space Force payloads monitoring China's satellites, collaborations reducing satellite tracking delays, and new AI projects for military operations.