Launched on December 23, 2017 from the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center, Global Change Observation Mission – Climate (GCOM-C) entered and completed its in-orbit checkout phase, during which the science instruments and satellite systems are evaluated. The in-orbit checkout mission was through by March 2018, ensuring the product verification.
The sample data of the GCOM-C standard product is now available on JAXA’s global portal system. (G-Portal) The data is yet to be validated, so the physical quantities are in the process of refining.
The GCOM-C data product will be released in December 2018.

JAXA has released some observation images on the Earth acquired by the Global Change Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C). The SHIKISAI was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 10:26:22 on December 23, 2017 (Japan Standard Time). These images are obtained by using the test radio wave transmitted from GCOM-C/SGLI on January 1st to 6th, 2018 (JST).
Image: Color composite image around the Okhotsk Sea Ice

JAXA received telemetry data from SHIKISAI and TSUBAME, confirming that their satellite attitude control system had transitioned to the steady state. Current status of both satellites is stable.
Subsequently, the following procedure occurred - power generation that supports the satellites’ operation by the deployed solar array wings, ground communications and sound attitude control that maintains those operations. Combined by the completion of the series of other operations, such as powering up of the bus and mission equipment, the satellites have entered the state where they can be sustained in orbit. This concludes their critical operations phase.
SHIKISAI and TSUBAME will take about three months to verify the function of its onboard equipment and instruments in space.

The reception of telemetry data from JAXA's SHIKISAI satellite was made at 10:44 a.m. at the JAXA Mingenew Station, Australia, confirming SHIKISAI’s solar array deployment above Australia.

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 37 with the Global Change Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and the Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS) onboard lifted off at 10:26:22 a.m. on December 23, 2017 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center.
The launch and flight of H-IIA F37 proceeded as planned. So did the separation of SHIKISAI and TSUBAME, which was confirmed respectively at approximately 16 minutes and 13 seconds and 1 hour and 47 minutes 59 seconds after liftoff.

The launch schedule of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 37 (H-IIA F37) has been decided to be between 10:26:22 thru 10:48:22 a.m. on December 23 (Sat), 2017 (Japan Standard time). The launch will be performed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JAXA.
H-IIA Launch vehicle No. 37 incorporates JAXA's newly developed outcome to insert SHIKISAI and TSUBAME into different orbit altitude respectively. It will expand opportunities of multiple satellite launch and take full advantage of the capability of H-IIA.

JAXA had the public come up with an excellent nickname for the Global Change Observation Mission – Climate (GCOM-C) for almost a month. The GCOM-C nickname project was couple with SLAT’s. The project was met with quite a response – 12,895 applications. As a result of careful examination, SHIKISAI, meaning colors in Japanese was chosen.
JAXA appreciates all for positive participation.
SHIKISAI most appropriately describes the GCOM-C features – the onboard Second-Generation Global Imager (SGLI) captures a broad spectrum of objects, including flourishing vegetation, deep blue oceans, and crystal sea ice on our color-filled planet.
Updates on the SHIKISAI missions are available on this website. JAXA appreciates continuous support by all.

JAXA’s GCOM-C satellite, Global Change Observation Mission – Climate, to be launched in Japanese fiscal 2017, undergoes environmental testing at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center. Environmental Test flow includes sinusoidal vibration and acoustics, which JAXA collectively calls mechanical and environmental testing. The testing, which aims at ensuring that the satellite will endure rigorous shock and sound pressure during ascent, was conducted in March and April, 2017 (Image) and came to successful completion.

GCOM-C is entering electrical testing, which will determine if the satellite systems, after being subjected to environmental testing, operate properly.

A mission logo for the Global Change Observation Mission – Climate (GCOM-C) has been selected. GCOM-C is a satellite mission to clarify the climate change mechanism such as global warming, as well as to monitor the status of flying yellow sand, and to observe ocean plankton to estimate fishing points by acquiring various data on the Earth that is considered to have an impact on climate change.
The design of the GCOM-C mission logo is a simplified drawing of clouds, dust in the atmosphere (aerosols), vegetation (forests), snow ice, and ocean. The evergreen color, which is a traditional Japanese color, was selected for the basic color of the logo. The color shows our desire that the mission will constantly thrive for a long time like leave colors of evergreen trees such as Japanese pines and cedars.
GCOM-C is under development to be ready for launch in JFY 2016.

JAXA conducted a sinusoidal vibration test for the GCOM-C1 using a structural model. This test using simulated vibrations verifies if the satellite’s structure and onboard equipment can bear sinusoidal vibrations, which are generated at the time of launch. The test was successful, and we confirmed that the satellite is strong enough. The structural model is a mechanically mocked satellite for verifying the tolerance of the satellite’s main body and onboard equipment not only against sinusoidal vibrations at the time of launch, but also against other factors including the acoustic environment, shock at the time of separation from the launch vehicle, and impact of the solar array paddle deployment.