# Michibiki 1

> decommissioned Japanese navigation test satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q45977653](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45977653)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QZS-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michibiki-1

## Summary
Michibiki 1 (QZS-1) was a decommissioned Japanese navigation test satellite launched in 2010. It served as a technology demonstration spacecraft for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), designed to enhance GPS coverage in the Asia-Oceania region.

## Key Facts
- **Decommissioned Japanese navigation satellite**: Michibiki 1 was a test satellite for Japan’s QZSS, launched on September 11, 2010.
- **Technology demonstration spacecraft**: It was classified as both a navigation satellite and a technology demonstrator.
- **Launched by H-IIA rocket**: The satellite was deployed using the H-IIA launch vehicle, specifically the H-IIA-18 variant.
- **Mass specifications**: Michibiki 1 had a dry mass of 2,281 kg and a total mass of 4,100 kg at launch.
- **Orbital parameters**: It had a perigee of 5.7 km and an apogee of 25.25 km, with an inclination of 2.35°.
- **Decommissioned in 2023**: The satellite was decommissioned in September 2023 and replaced by Michibiki 4.
- **Operator**: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) managed the satellite.
- **Manufacturer**: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation built Michibiki 1.
- **Alternate names**: Also known as QZS-1, QZSS-1, or QZS1.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Michibiki 1’s purpose?
A: Michibiki 1 was a test satellite for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), designed to improve GPS coverage in the Asia-Oceania region.

### Q: When was Michibiki 1 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 11, 2010, aboard an H-IIA rocket.

### Q: How long was Michibiki 1 operational?
A: Michibiki 1 was decommissioned in September 2023, having served as a test satellite for over a decade.

### Q: Who operated Michibiki 1?
A: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) managed the satellite.

### Q: What was Michibiki 1’s mass?
A: Michibiki 1 had a dry mass of 2,281 kg and a total mass of 4,100 kg at launch.

## Why It Matters
Michibiki 1 was a critical component of Japan’s QZSS, which aimed to provide more accurate and reliable GPS signals in the Asia-Oceania region. By launching in a quasi-zenith orbit, the system offered improved coverage for areas like Japan, where traditional GPS signals can be weak. The satellite’s decommissioning marked the end of an era for QZSS’s initial test phase, paving the way for operational satellites like Michibiki 4. Its success demonstrated Japan’s advancements in satellite-based navigation technology, contributing to global positioning systems and disaster response efforts.

## Notable For
- **First QZSS test satellite**: Michibiki 1 was the first satellite in Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, designed to enhance GPS coverage in the Asia-Oceania region.
- **Technology demonstrator**: It served as a platform to test experimental navigation technologies before operational deployment.
- **Decommissioned in 2023**: The satellite was retired after over a decade of service, replaced by Michibiki 4.
- **Precise orbital parameters**: With a perigee of 5.7 km and an apogee of 25.25 km, it maintained a stable quasi-zenith orbit.
- **Collaborative development**: Built by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, it represented Japan’s efforts to strengthen its space-based positioning infrastructure.

## Body
### Overview
Michibiki 1, also known as QZS-1, was a Japanese navigation test satellite launched on September 11, 2010. It was part of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a project aimed at improving GPS coverage in the Asia-Oceania region. The satellite was decommissioned in September 2023, replaced by Michibiki 4.

### Design and Specifications
Michibiki 1 had a dry mass of 2,281 kg and a total mass of 4,100 kg at launch. Its orbital parameters included a perigee of 5.7 km, an apogee of 25.25 km, and an inclination of 2.35°. These specifications allowed it to maintain a quasi-zenith orbit, providing enhanced GPS signals for users in the target region.

### Launch and Operation
The satellite was launched aboard an H-IIA rocket, specifically the H-IIA-18 variant. It was operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Michibiki 1 served as a technology demonstration spacecraft, testing experimental navigation technologies before their operational deployment.

### Decommissioning
In September 2023, Michibiki 1 was decommissioned and replaced by Michibiki 4. This marked the end of its role as a test satellite, having contributed to Japan’s advancements in satellite-based navigation. The decommissioning was part of the broader QZSS program, which aimed to provide more accurate and reliable positioning services.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/qzs-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://qzss.go.jp/en/overview/notices/qzs1_230915.html)
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37158)
5. [Source](https://qzss.go.jp/en/technical/qzssinfo/khp0mf0000000wuf-att/spi-qzs1_b.pdf)