Press Release

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Launch Result of the Global Changing Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-W1) and the Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 3 (KOMPSAT-3) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21

May 18, 2012 (JST)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Global Changing Observation Mission 1st - Water “SHIZUKU” (GCOM-W1) and the Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 3 (KOMPSAT-3) of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21 (H-IIA F21) at 1:39 a.m. on May 18, 2012 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center.

The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 16 minutes and 3 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the KOMPSAT-3, then at about 22 minutes and 59 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the SHIZUKU were confirmed respectively.

Also we confirmed that the launch vehicle sent separation signals to the small satellites (SDS-4 and Horyu-2) as planned.

We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch of the H-IIA F21.

At the time of the launch, the weather was fine, a wind speed was 4.9 meters/second from the west-north-west and the temperature was 18.7 degrees Celsius.