# MTSat-1R

> decommissioned Japanese geostationary navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18285252](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18285252)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mtsat-1r

## Summary  
MTSat‑1R was a Japanese geostationary satellite launched on 26 February 2005 that combined navigation, communications and weather‑monitoring functions. Operated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and the Japan Meteorological Agency, it served until its decommissioning on 27 December 2015 and was then moved to a graveyard orbit.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 26 February 2005 (09:25 UTC) 【launch_date】  
- **Launch vehicle:** H‑IIA‑7F (H‑IIA rocket) from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Pad 1 【launch_vehicle】【start_point】  
- **Mass at launch:** 2 900 kg; dry mass 1 300 kg 【mass】  
- **Dimensions:** 33 m tall 【height】  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit (graveyard orbit after decommissioning) 【satellite_of】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2005‑006A 【cospar_id】  
- **Operators:** Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japan Meteorological Agency 【operator】  
- **Manufacturer & bus:** Lanteris Space Systems; Lanteris 1300 bus 【manufacturer】【spacecraft_bus】  
- **Functions:** Communications, navigation, and weather observation (multifunctional) 【instance_of】  
- **Service period:** Entered service 28 June 2005; decommissioned 27 December 2015 【significant_event】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the primary purpose of MTSat‑1R?  
A: MTSat‑1R was a multifunctional satellite that provided navigation, communications, and weather‑monitoring services from a geostationary orbit for Japan.

### Q: When and how was MTSat‑1R launched?  
A: It was launched on 26 February 2005 at 09:25 UTC aboard an H‑IIA‑7F rocket from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Pad 1.

### Q: When did MTSat‑1R stop operating?  
A : The satellite was decommissioned on 27 December 2015 and transferred to a graveyard orbit.

### Q: Which agencies operated MTSat‑1R?  
A: The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and the Japan Meteorological Agency jointly operated the satellite.

### Q: What satellite succeeded MTSat‑1R?  
A: MTSat‑2, another Japanese geostationary navigation satellite, succeeded MTSat‑1R.

## Why It Matters  
MTSat‑1R represented a significant step in Japan’s space capability by integrating three critical services—navigation, communications, and meteorology—into a single geostationary platform. This multifunctional approach reduced the need for separate satellites, lowering launch and operational costs while enhancing data continuity for aviation safety, weather forecasting, and regional communications. Its decade‑long service contributed to reliable navigation aids for civil aviation and provided continuous weather imagery, supporting disaster preparedness in a region prone to typhoons and earthquakes. The satellite’s decommissioning in 2015 marked the end of an era and paved the way for newer, more advanced systems such as MTSat‑2, illustrating the evolution of Japan’s satellite architecture toward greater specialization and performance.

## Notable For  
- First Japanese satellite to combine navigation, communications, and weather observation in a single geostationary bus.  
- Served for over ten years, providing continuous data for civil aviation and meteorology.  
- Utilized the Lanteris 1300 spacecraft bus, showcasing domestic satellite manufacturing capability.  
- Part of the Himawari series, following Himawari 5 and preceding later weather satellites.  
- Successfully transitioned to a graveyard orbit after decommissioning, adhering to space‑debris mitigation guidelines.

## Body  

### Overview  
MTSat‑1R (also known as Himawari 6) was a decommissioned Japanese geostationary satellite designed to fulfill multiple roles: navigation support for aviation, communications relay, and weather monitoring. It belonged to the broader Himawari series of meteorological satellites and was part of the Multifunctional Transport Satellite program.

### Mission Profile  
- **Launch:** 26 Feb 2005, H‑IIA‑7F, Yoshinobu Launch Complex Pad 1.  
- **Orbit insertion:** Geostationary orbit, later moved to a graveyard orbit after decommissioning.  
- **Service entry:** 28 Jun 2005.  
- **Decommissioning:** 27 Dec 2015, placed in a graveyard orbit.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Launch mass:** 2 900 kg (launch weight).  
- **Dry mass:** 1 300 kg.  
- **Height:** 33 m.  
- **Power:** Single spacecraft solar array (1 unit).  
- **Bus:** Lanteris 1300, built by Lanteris Space Systems (USA‑origin components).  
- **Operators:** Japan Civil Aviation Bureau; Japan Meteorological Agency.  
- **Functions:** Classified as a communications, navigation, weather, and geostationary satellite; later listed as a derelict satellite after decommissioning.

### Operational History  
- Provided continuous weather imagery for the Japan Meteorological Agency.  
- Supported civil aviation navigation and communications throughout its operational life.  
- Replaced the earlier MTSat‑1 and was succeeded by MTSat‑2, continuing Japan’s geostationary navigation capability.

### End‑of‑Life and Legacy  
The satellite’s controlled retirement to a graveyard orbit complied with international best practices for space debris mitigation. Its multifunctional design set a precedent for future Japanese satellites, influencing the architecture of subsequent Himawari and MTSat missions.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "MTSat-1R",
  "description": "Decommissioned Japanese geostationary navigation, communications, and weather satellite launched in 2005.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28622",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTSat-1R"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtsat-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.data.jma.go.jp/sat_info/himawari/enkaku.html)