GCOM-W1 (SHIZUKU) (38337)

COSPAR: 2012-025A | Alt Name: Shizuku

Image
GCOM-W1 (SHIZUKU) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 17, 2012

Launch Site

TANSC

Launch Pad

Y

Launch Vehicle

H-IIA 202

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

38337

International Designator

2012-025A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:54:12 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.20°

Right Ascension

125.58°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

66.88°

Period

98.82 min

Mean Motion

14.57 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

GCOM-W1 (SHIZUKU)

Alternative Name

Shizuku

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

JAXA

Country

Japan

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 38337U 12025A   26185.28764594  .00000569  00000-0  13626-3 0  9992
2 38337  98.2022 125.5846 0001501  66.8754  94.1278 14.57141006751523

Source: Celestrak

Summary
GCOM-W1 (SHIZUKU), or Shizuku, is an Earth observation satellite operated by JAXA and launched on May 17, 2012, from Tanegashima Space Center using the H-IIA 202 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 5.1 meters in length, 3.4 meters in diameter, and a span of 17.5 meters with its solar arrays deployed. It weighs 1841 kilograms dry and had a launch mass of 1991 kilograms. Equipped with AMSR2 and SPAISE1 (AIS-receiver), the satellite has two deployable solar arrays for power generation and batteries for energy storage. The mission is designed to last five years, focusing on Earth observation with its configuration NX-1500L manufactured by NECTF. Its shape consists of a box structure with two panels and a dish antenna, offering an RCS of 6.2395 square meters.
Physical Characteristics

Length

5.1

Diameter

3.4

Span

17.5

Dry Mass

1841

Launch Mass

1991

Shape

Box +2 pan + dish

Radar Cross Section

6.2395

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

GCOM-W1

Purpose

Earth observation

Mission

Earth observation

Manufacturer

NECTF

Life Expectancy

5 years

Bus

GCOM

Configuration

NX-1500L

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

AMSR2, SPAISE1 (AIS-receiver)

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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