# MTSat-2

> decommissioned Japanese geostationary navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18327611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327611)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mtsat-2

## Summary
MTSat-2 is a decommissioned Japanese geostationary navigation satellite launched in 2006 to support aviation, weather monitoring, and communications. Operated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japan Meteorological Agency, it transitioned to a graveyard orbit in 2020 after retiring from service. It served as part of both the Multifunctional Transport Satellite (MTSat) and Himawari satellite series.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 18, 2006, at 06:27 UTC.
- **Operators**: Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japan Meteorological Agency.
- **Manufacturers**: Mitsubishi Electric and Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
- **Mass**: 4,650 kg (launch weight) and 1,700 kg (dry weight).
- **Dimensions**: 27 meters in height.
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA (variant H-IIA-9F) from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Pad 1.
- **Service Period**: Entered service July 1, 2012; retired March 29, 2017.
- **Current Status**: Decommissioned and relocated to a graveyard orbit on May 29, 2020.
- **Aliases**: Known as Himawari 7.
- **Satellite Bus**: DS2000 platform.

## FAQs
### Q: When was MTSat-2 launched and who operated it?
A: MTSat-2 launched on February 18, 2006, and was jointly operated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japan Meteorological Agency.

### Q: What was the purpose of MTSat-2?
A: It provided navigation support for aviation, weather monitoring, and communications as part of Japan’s MTSat and Himawari satellite programs.

### Q: Why was MTSat-2 decommissioned?
A: After retiring from service in 2017, it was moved to a graveyard orbit in 2020 to clear space for operational satellites like Himawari 8.

## Why It Matters
MTSat-2 played a critical role in Japan’s infrastructure by integrating navigation, weather, and communications capabilities into a single geostationary satellite. Its dual operation under civil aviation and meteorological agencies highlighted its versatility in supporting both air traffic management and weather forecasting. As part of the broader Himawari series, it contributed to the evolution of Japan’s satellite technology, ensuring continuity of services until its replacement by advanced satellites like Himawari 8. Its decommissioning process also underscored responsible space stewardship through orbital relocation.

## Notable For
- **Dual-Role Operation**: Served both navigation (aviation) and meteorological purposes.
- **Extended Service Timeline**: Despite launching in 2006, its operational service began in 2012 due to delays and concluded in 2017.
- **Part of Two Series**: Classified under both the MTSat and Himawari satellite programs.
- **International Collaboration**: Built by a partnership between Mitsubishi Electric (Japan) and Boeing (USA).
- **Graveyard Orbit Relocation**: Proactive decommissioning to mitigate space debris risks.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA-9F rocket from Tanegashima Space Center’s Yoshinobu Launch Complex Pad 1.
- **Initial Orbit**: Geostationary orbit at 145° East longitude.
- **Delayed Activation**: Entered operational service in 2012, six years after launch, following technical preparations.

### Technical Specifications
- **Power**: Equipped with a single spacecraft solar array and an R-4D engine.
- **Bus Platform**: Utilized Mitsubishi Electric’s DS2000 satellite bus.
- **Dimensions**: 27-meter height with a launch mass of 4,650 kg.

### Mission and Operations
- **Primary Roles**: Supported air navigation (Japan Civil Aviation Bureau) and meteorological imaging (Japan Meteorological Agency).
- **Service Period**: Operational from July 1, 2012, until retirement on March 29, 2017.
- **Legacy**: Bridged services between earlier MTSat-1R and the advanced Himawari 8 weather satellite.

### Decommissioning
- **Retirement Process**: Moved to a graveyard orbit on May 29, 2020, to avoid interfering with active satellites.
- **Final Status**: Classified as a derelict satellite post-decommissioning.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "MTSat-2",
  "description": "Decommissioned Japanese geostationary navigation satellite",
  "url": "https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtsat-2.htm",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTSAT-2"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://schema.org/CommunicationsSatellite",
    "https://schema.org/WeatherSatellite",
    "https://schema.org/NavigationSatellite"
  ],
  "manufacturer": [
    "Mitsubishi Electric",
    "Boeing Defense, Space & Security"
  ],
  "operator": [
    "Japan Civil Aviation Bureau",
    "Japan Meteorological Agency"
  ],
  "launchDate": "2006-02-18",
  "mass": "4650 kg (launch weight)",
  "height": "27 meters",
  "cosparId": "2006-004A",
  "nssdcaId": "2006-004A",
  "wolframEntityCode": "Entity[\"Satellite\", \"28937\"]"
}

## References

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