Space Brief 10 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of a mystery spysat, Maxar's terrain data for U.S. Army systems, and multiple U.S. defense firms enhancing satellite capabilities.
GOSAT 2 (43672)
COSPAR: 2018-084B | Alt Name: Ibuki 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 29, 2018
Launch Site
TANSC
Launch Pad
Y
Launch Vehicle
H-IIA 202
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43672
International Designator
2018-084B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:31:25 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.88°
Right Ascension
295.58°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
96.85°
Period
97.02 min
Mean Motion
14.84 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GOSAT 2
Alternative Name
Ibuki 2
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
JAXA
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43672U 18084B 26184.27182305 -.00001063 00000-0 -12071-3 0 9998
2 43672 97.8819 295.5760 0001545 96.8492 263.2898 14.84227277415948
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GOSAT 2, also known as Ibuki 2, is an Earth observation satellite launched on October 29, 2018, from Tanegashima Space Center using the H-IIA 202 launch vehicle. It has a configuration of Box + 2 Pan with dimensions of 5.3 meters in length and a diameter of 2 meters, spanning 16.5 meters. The satellite has a dry mass of 1700 kilograms and was manufactured by MELCO for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). GOSAT 2 is equipped with TANSO-FTS and TANSO-CAI-2 instruments for its mission, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its expected operational lifetime is five years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.3
Diameter
2
Span
16.5
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
1750
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
GOSAT 2
Purpose
Earth Observation
Mission
Earth Observation
Manufacturer
MELCO
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
GOSAT
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
TANSO-FTS, TANSO-CAI-2
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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