H-IIA to launch GCOM-C1 & SLATS

Japan's H-IIA rocket is set for liftoff from the picturesque Tanegashima Space Center on Saturday, December 23 on a dual-satellite delivery mission targeting two different orbits. Hidden under the vehicle's payload fairing is the 1,950-Kilogram GCOM-C1 Global Change Observation Mission for Climate spacecraft outfitted with a 19-channel imaging instrument to study Earth's carbon cycle and radiation budget over an extended time scale relevant for climate assessments.

After sending GCOM-C1 on its way 800 Kilometers in altitude, H-IIA will be tasked with lowering its orbit to deploy the Super-Low Altitude Test Satellite for a mission orbiting on the edge - demonstrating the feasibility of operating satellites at very low altitudes where they have to actively combat drag to remain in orbit.

Live Video by JAXA