# Michibiki 3 > Japanese navigation satellite **Wikidata**: [Q45977933](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45977933) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michibiki-3 ## Summary Michibiki 3, also known as QZS-3, is a Japanese navigation satellite launched on August 19, 2017, to serve as a critical component of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). Weighing approximately 4,700 kilograms at launch, it was deployed into orbit using the H-IIA expendable medium-lift launch vehicle. This satellite enhances positioning accuracy and signal availability for users in the Asia-Oceania region, particularly over Japan. ## Key Facts * **Launch Date:** The satellite was successfully launched on August 19, 2017. * **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried into space by an H-IIA rocket, specifically configured as the H-IIA-35 variant. * **System Affiliation:** Michibiki 3 is a core element of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), Japan's national satellite navigation network. * **Mass Specifications:** The satellite has a documented launch mass of 4,700 kg and a dry mass of 2,762.6 kg. * **Aliases:** The entity is frequently referred to by the designations QZS-3, QZSS-3, and QZS3. * **Classification:** It is categorized as a navigation satellite designed for the Japanese market. * **Visual Documentation:** Official imagery of the satellite is available via the Wikimedia Commons file "QZS-3_PressConf_01.jpg". * **Data Sources:** Technical specifications and launch details are verified by sources including space.skyrocket.de and official QZSS technical PDFs. ## FAQs **What is the primary function of Michibiki 3?** Michibiki 3 operates as a navigation satellite within the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, providing high-precision positioning signals to users in Japan and the surrounding region. Its specific orbital design ensures that at least one satellite remains at a high elevation angle over Japan at all times, improving signal reliability in urban canyons and mountainous terrain. **How heavy is the Michibiki 3 satellite?** The satellite has a total launch mass of 4,700 kg, which includes fuel and operational systems. Once in orbit and after fuel consumption, its dry mass is recorded at 2,762.6 kg. **Which rocket was used to deploy Michibiki 3?** The satellite was launched aboard an H-IIA rocket, a Japanese expendable medium-lift launch vehicle. The specific mission configuration utilized the H-IIA-35 variant for this deployment. **What other names is this satellite known by?** In technical and operational contexts, Michibiki 3 is commonly identified by the aliases QZS-3, QZSS-3, and QZS3. These designations are used interchangeably in documentation and press releases regarding the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. ## Why It Matters Michibiki 3 represents a significant advancement in regional satellite navigation infrastructure, specifically addressing the limitations of global systems like GPS in areas with obstructed views of the sky. By operating within the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, it ensures that users in Japan and the Asia-Oceania region experience minimal signal blockage, which is critical for autonomous driving, precision agriculture, and disaster management. The satellite's deployment marks a step toward national self-reliance in critical positioning, timing, and navigation (PNT) services, reducing dependency on foreign-owned constellations. Its high-mass, high-capacity design allows it to carry advanced payloads that enhance the overall accuracy and robustness of the regional network. ## Notable For * **Dual Mass Reporting:** It is one of the few satellites with distinct, publicly verified data points for both its launch mass (4,700 kg) and its dry mass (2,762.6 kg) in official technical documentation. * **Specific Launch Configuration:** The mission utilized the H-IIA-35 variant, a specific configuration of Japan's primary launch vehicle, highlighting the tailored engineering required for this orbital insertion. * **System Integration:** It serves as a vital node in the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, directly contributing to the system's goal of maintaining continuous high-elevation coverage over Japan. * **Multi-Source Verification:** Technical data for this entity is cross-referenced between independent space databases (such as space.skyrocket.de) and official government technical reports (QZSS technical PDFs), ensuring high data integrity. ## Body ### Mission Overview and Classification Michibiki 3 is a Japanese navigation satellite that functions as a key node within the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). As a member of the broader class of navigation satellites, its primary objective is to augment global navigation satellite systems to provide superior coverage for the Japanese archipelago. The satellite is officially recognized under the aliases QZS-3, QZSS-3, and QZS3. It is classified specifically as a component of the QZSS, a system designed to ensure that at least one satellite is always visible at a high elevation angle from any point in Japan. ### Launch and Deployment Details The deployment of Michibiki 3 occurred on August 19, 2017. This mission was executed using the H-IIA launch vehicle, a Japanese expendable medium-lift rocket developed for various satellite missions. The specific configuration used for this launch was the H-IIA-35 variant, which provided the necessary thrust and trajectory precision to insert the satellite into its designated quasi-zenith orbit. The launch data is corroborated by multiple authoritative sources, including the QZSS official technical documentation and space tracking databases. ### Physical Specifications and Mass Technical records provide precise mass data for Michibiki 3, distinguishing between its launch configuration and its operational dry mass. The total mass at the time of launch was 4,700 kg, a figure that accounts for the satellite structure, fuel, and all onboard systems. In contrast, the dry mass of the satellite, representing the weight without consumables, is recorded at 2,762.6 kg. These figures are derived from distinct criteria: the launch mass is cited from space.skyrocket.de, while the dry mass is referenced from official QZSS technical PDFs. ### System Integration and Ecosystem Michibiki 3 is inextricably linked to the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a Japanese satellite navigation system. This system operates as a regional augmentation to global networks, ensuring high availability and accuracy for users in the Asia-Oceania region. The satellite's role is to maintain the constellation's geometry, ensuring continuous coverage even in challenging environments like deep urban canyons or mountainous valleys where standard GPS signals might be obstructed. The relationship between Michibiki 3 and the QZSS is fundamental to the system's operational success. ### Documentation and Media Assets Visual and technical documentation for Michibiki 3 is publicly accessible. A notable image file, "QZS-3_PressConf_01.jpg," is hosted on Wikimedia Commons, providing a visual record of the satellite, likely from a press conference or pre-launch event. The entity has a presence in both Japanese and English language Wikipedia communities, reflecting its international and domestic significance. Data regarding the satellite's operator, manufacturer, and country of origin is consistently referenced across technical databases, though specific names for these entities are often linked to the broader QZSS program management structure. ### Data Provenance and Verification The information regarding Michibiki 3 is supported by a robust chain of references. Key data points, such as the launch date and vehicle configuration, are verified against the QZSS official technical report (spi-qzs3_e.pdf). Additional specifications, including mass and orbital parameters, are cross-referenced with the space.skyrocket.de database. This multi-source verification ensures that the entity's profile is accurate and reliable for scientific and engineering applications. The satellite's entry in knowledge bases includes a sitelink count indicating its recognition across multiple language editions and related topics. ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/qzs-3.htm) 2. Jonathan's Space Report 3. [Source](https://qzss.go.jp/en/technical/qzssinfo/khp0mf0000000wuf-att/spi-qzs3_e.pdf)