Previous Spaceflight Launches
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Proton-M Briz-M | Nimiq 6
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center | RussiaBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
May 17, 2012, 7:12 p.m.
H-IIA 202 | GCOM-W1
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
May 17, 2012, 4:39 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The GCOM-W (Global Change Observation Mission - Water) or Shizuku satellite aims to construct, use, and verify systems that enable continuous global-scale observations (for 10 to 15 years) of effective geophysical parameters for elucidating global climate change and water circulation mechanisms. Water circulation changes will be observed by a microwave radiometer onboard the GCOM-W (Water) satellite (scheduled to be launched in Japan Fiscal Year 2011). The GCOM-W will observe precipitation, vapor amounts, wind velocity above the ocean, sea water temperatures, water levels on land areas and snow depths. Climate change observation will be performed by a multi-wavelength optical radiometer onboard the GCOM-C (Climate) satellite (under consideration) on clouds, aerosol, seawater color (marine organisms), vegetation, snow and ice. These satellites will enable us to perform comprehensive observations of the surface layer of the Earth such as the atmosphere, including clouds, land, oceans and the cryosphere. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) is a sensor to observe radiometers, or microwaves emitted naturally from the ground, sea surface and atmosphere, using 6 different frequency bands ranging from 7 GHz to 89 GHz. The strength of a natural microwave is determined by its characteristics and moisture, including the surface condition and temperature of the material. Although it depends on the frequency, the microwave is very weak. AMSR2 will detect such weak microwaves at an altitude of 700 kilometers and measure the strength of them with a very high accuracy. For example, by measuring the strength of a microwave emitted from the sea surface with the AMSR2, one can understand the water temperature of the sea surface to an accuracy of 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Soyuz-U | Kobalt-M No.8 (Kosmos-2480)
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) | RussiaPlesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
May 17, 2012, 2:05 p.m.
Ariane 5 ECA | JCSAT-13 & Vinasat-2
ArianeGroup | FranceGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
May 15, 2012, 10:13 p.m.
Soyuz FG | Soyuz TMA-04M
Progress Rocket Space Center | RussiaBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
May 15, 2012, 3:01 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Soyuz TMA-04M begins expedition 31 by carrying 3 astronauts and cosmonauts to the International Space Station. Russian Commander, cosmonaut Gennady Padalka alongside Flight Engineers, Sergei Revin (RSA) & Joseph M. Acaba (NASA) will launch aboard the Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and then rendezvous with the station. It landed on 17 September 2012, 02:53 UTC
Low Earth Orbit
Long March 4B | Yaogan 14 & Tiantuo 1
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaTaiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 10, 2012, 7:06 a.m.
Long March 2D | Tianhui-1B
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
May 6, 2012, 7:10 a.m.
Atlas V 531 | AEHF-2 (USA-235)
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
May 4, 2012, 6:42 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
This is the first satellite of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system, which is a series of communications satellites operated by the United States Air Force Space Command. It provides global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Long March 3B/E | Compass-M3 & Compass-M4
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
April 29, 2012, 8:50 p.m.
PSLV XL | RISAT-1
Indian Space Research Organization | IndiaSatish Dhawan Space Centre, India
April 26, 2012, 12:17 a.m.
