# IGS Optical 5 Demo

> Japanese optical reconnaissance demonstration satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16086304](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16086304)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/igs-optical-5-demo

## Summary
IGS Optical 5 Demo is a Japanese optical reconnaissance demonstration satellite launched on January 27, 2013. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric and operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center of Japan, it serves as a technology demonstrator for the Information Gathering Satellite program. The satellite operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit to collect intelligence data.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** January 27, 2013, at 04:40 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** H-IIA (specifically the H-IIA-22 configuration).
- **Launch Site:** Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.
- **Manufacturer:** Mitsubishi Electric.
- **Operator:** Cabinet Satellite Information Center (Japan).
- **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2013-002B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 39062.
- **Also Known As:** IGS 8B, IGS-Optical 5V, Intelligence Gathering Satellite-Optical 5V, JSE jissho eisei.
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite (demonstration unit).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the IGS Optical 5 Demo satellite?
A: The satellite was designed as a demonstration unit for optical reconnaissance. Its primary function was to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications as part of Japan's Information Gathering Satellite program.

### Q: When and how was IGS Optical 5 Demo launched?
A: It was launched on January 27, 2013, at 04:40 UTC aboard an H-IIA-22 rocket from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1 in Japan.

### Q: Who operates the IGS Optical 5 Demo?
A: The satellite is operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center of Japan.

## Why It Matters
The IGS Optical 5 Demo represents a critical step in the evolution of Japan's independent space-based intelligence capabilities. As a demonstration satellite, it bridges the gap between earlier models and future operational variants, allowing for the testing of advanced optical sensors in a live orbital environment before full-scale deployment. By operating this satellite in a Sun-synchronous orbit, Japan ensures consistent lighting conditions for imaging, which is vital for high-resolution reconnaissance.

This entity is significant because it contributes to the Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) program, a strategic initiative that allows Japan to collect sovereign intelligence without relying solely on allied nations. The development and launch of this satellite by Mitsubishi Electric highlight the integration of commercial aerospace expertise into national defense infrastructure. The success of such demonstrators ensures the continuity and modernization of Japan's surveillance network, which is essential for regional security monitoring and disaster assessment.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated **demonstration satellite** for optical reconnaissance technologies.
- Serving as a precursor to operational satellites within the Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) series.
- Utilizing the **H-IIA** expendable medium-lift launch vehicle.
- Operating under the administration of the **Cabinet Satellite Information Center**.
- Maintaining a Sun-synchronous orbit optimized for consistent reconnaissance imaging.

## Body
### Mission Overview
IGS Optical 5 Demo is classified as a reconnaissance satellite designed to covertly collect data for intelligence or military applications. It functions as a demonstration unit within Japan's broader Information Gathering Satellite program. The satellite is identified by the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "39062"]`.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite was manufactured by **Mitsubishi Electric**, a major Japanese electronics and defense contractor. It is designated to orbit the Earth in a **Sun-synchronous orbit**, a specific path that keeps the satellite over the same spot on the ground at the same local solar time, providing consistent illumination for optical sensors.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **January 27, 2013**, with a precise launch time of **04:40**. The launch took place at the **Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1**. It was delivered to orbit using the **H-IIA** launch vehicle, specifically configured as the **H-IIA-22**. This event is recorded as a significant rocket launch event in the satellite's history.

### Identification and Aliases
The satellite is cataloged internationally under the **COSPAR ID 2013-002B** and the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 39062**. In various databases and reports, it is referred to by several aliases, including **IGS 8B**, **IGS-Optical 5V**, and **JSE jissho eisei**. It is recognized as an instance of a reconnaissance satellite originating from **Japan**.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/igs-optical-5v.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report