October 30, 2018 (JST)

National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

JAXA received telemetry data from IBUKI-2(GOSAT-2)^*1, confirming that the satellite attitude control system had transitioned to a steady state. Current status of the IBUKI-2 satellite 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, IBUKI-2 has been able to sustain itself in orbit. This concludes the critical operations phase^*2.

IBUKI-2 will move on to the next operations phase^*3, where the functions of the satellite's onboard apparatus will be examined approximately in the next 2.5-month period.

JAXA conveys deep appreciation for the support by all for the satellite's launch and tracking.

*1: The Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite-2 "IBUKI-2" (GOSAT-2) is co-developed by three organizations: Japanese Ministry of Environment, National Institute of Environmental Studies, Japan and JAXA.

*2: Critical operations phase: the phase that follows satellite's separation from a launch vehicle. In this phase, solar arrays are deployed and the onboard instruments are turned on for the satellite's regular operations. The critical operations phase concludes when the control mode begins for the satellite's nominal operation.

*3: Next operations phase: during this phase, the entire satellite, its observation/mission sensors and other onboard equipment are scrutinized.