ALOS-4 (DAICHI-4) (60182)

COSPAR: 2024-123A | Alt Name: Daichi-4

Image
ALOS-4 (DAICHI-4) Satellite Image
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 1, 2024

Launch Site

Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

Launch Pad

Yoshinobu Launch Complex

Launch Vehicle

H3-22S

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

60182

International Designator

2024-123A

Epoch

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:48:16 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

97.92°

Right Ascension

297.53°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

98.16°

Period

97.33 min

Mean Motion

14.79 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Basic Satellite Info

Name

ALOS-4 (DAICHI-4)

Alternative Name

Daichi-4

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Country

Japan

Constellation

ALOS Series

Related Satellites

Major Events

Launch on July 1, 2024; successful deployment of solar arrays and antennas; initiation of Earth observation operations.

Latest TLEs
1 60182U 24123A   26200.82518829  .00000618  00000+0  89649-4 0  9996
2 60182  97.9221 297.5326 0001542  98.1551 261.9835 14.79476713110706

Source: Celestrak

Summary
ALOS-4 (Daichi-4) is an Earth Observation Satellite launched on July 1, 2024, from Tanegashima Space Center using the H3-22S launch vehicle. It was designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The satellite has a box-shaped bus with two solar array paddles, measuring 10 meters in length and 6.4 meters in diameter, with a span of 20 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It weighs 3000 kg at launch and is powered by gallium arsenide solar cells and batteries. The primary payload includes the PALSAR-3 L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar for high-resolution Earth observation and the SPAISE3 AIS receiver for maritime monitoring. ALOS-4 aims to monitor disasters, forests, sea ice, and infrastructure, providing high-resolution images with a wide observation swath. The satellite is equipped with an Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) for three-axis stabilization using reaction wheels and gyroscopes. It operates on the Ka-band at 1.8/3.6 Gbps for direct transmission and optical inter-orbit communications at 1.8 Gbps. The ALOS-4 satellite is part of the ALOS Series, with a planned operational lifetime of seven years. Its main mission includes enhancing Earth observation capabilities over its predecessors like ALOS, ALOS-2, and ALOS-3. The spacecraft's design features white with black and blue accents for visibility and thermal management purposes.
Physical Characteristics

Length

10

Diameter

6.4

Span

20

Dry Mass

3000

Launch Mass

3000

Shape

Box-shaped bus with two solar array paddles

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

White with black and blue accents

Material Composition

Aluminum and composite materials for the bus structure; gallium arsenide solar cells.

Technical Details

Payload

The primary payload is the PALSAR-3 radar system, complemented by the SPAISE3 AIS receiver for maritime monitoring.

Purpose

Earth Observation, Radar

Mission

ALOS-4 is designed for Earth observation using advanced radar technology to monitor disasters, forests, sea ice, and infrastructure. It aims to provide high-resolution images with a wide observation swath, enhancing capabilities over its predecessors.

Manufacturer

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO)

Life Expectancy

7 years

Bus

ALOS

Configuration

Earth Observation Satellite

Motor

Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS)

Equipment

PALSAR-3 L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, SPace based AIS Experiment 3 (SPAISE3)

Power System

Two deployable solar array paddles and batteries

ADCS

Three-axis stabilized with reaction wheels and gyroscopes

Transmitter Frequency

1.8/3.6 Gbps (Ka-band) for direct transmission; 1.8 Gbps for optical inter-orbit communications

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