Japan launched a mutli-functional satellite

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Japan launched a mutli-functional satellite for weather observation and air traffic control in southern Japan on Saturday, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said.

The Multifunctional Transport Satellite 2 (MTSAT-2) was lifted off by a H-2A rocket at 3:27 p.m. local time (0627 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture. It separated with the rocket at 3:55 p.m. local time (0655 GMT).

The MTSAT-2 will act as a backup weather satellite for the Himawari-6, which was put into orbit in February 2005 and is scheduled to end mission in 2010. With images and data collected by MTSAT-2, sea surface temperature, cloud top temperature and cloud motion winds could be obtained. It is also capable of collecting meteorological, tidal (tsunami) and seismic intensity data from remote observing stations, according to the JAXA.

Besides, with its capability in air traffic communications, navigation, surveillance and control, the newly-launched satellite is expected to play a key role in increasing airspace capacity and ensuring air navigation safety in the Asia-Pacific region.

The MTSAT-2, weighing around 4.65 tons, will be placed on a geostationary orbit about 36,000 km above the equator. Its designed lifetime is five years for the meteorological function and 10 years for the aviation function.

After the launch of the MTSAT-2, the JAXA plans to launch an infrared ray astronomical satellite on Feb. 21 on an M5 rocket.

Source: Xinhua

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