Completion of Critical Operations Phase, Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 “DAICHI-4” (ALOS-4)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully completed the critical operations phase*1 of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 “DAICHI-4” (ALOS-4).
JAXA received telemetry data confirming that a series of planned operations, including the deployments of the
solar array paddles and the antennas of mission payloads (the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-3
(PALSAR-3) *2 and the SPAISE3*3), has been
completed, and that the satellite is in a stable condition to remain in orbit. With this confirmation, the critical
operations phase of “DAICHI-4” was completed.
”DAICHI-4″ will move on to the initial functional verification operations phase*4, to verify the functions of the onboard instruments over a period of approximately
three months.
JAXA conveys a deep appreciation for the cooperation and support of everyone involved in the launch and
tracking and control of “DAICHI-4” , including the government agencies, the prime contractor, Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation, and all the companies and organizations involved in the development, manufacture and operation of the
satellite.
*1:
Critical operations phase
The period after the satellite separation from the launch vehicle, to deploy the solar array paddles and the
antennas of mission payloads (the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-3 (PALSAR-3) and the SPAISE3),
and to transfer the satellite to an operational state.
*2:
PALSAR-3
PALSAR-3: Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-3 is a sensor that obtains information by transmitting
radio waves to the earth’s surface and receiving the radio waves reflected from the surface.
*3:
SPAISE3
SPAISE3: SPace based AIS Experiment 3 is a sensor that receives signals from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) installed on ships.
*4:
Initial functional verification operations phase
The period to verify the functions of the satellite system and its onboard instruments, such as mission payloads.