The Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4) is a satellite to observe the Earth's surface using its onboard phased array type L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR-3). The L-band radar technology has continuously been developed in Japan. With further improved observation performance compared to the predecessor PALSAR-2 aboard the DAICHI-2 (ALOS-2), JAXA and its prime contractor, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, are developing the satellite aiming at achieving both high resolution and a broader observation swath.
Unlike observations by an optical sensor, radar images can be acquired day and night as it does not require sunlight. Moreover, since radio waves can penetrate cloud, the images can be obtained regardless of weather condition. The ALOS-4 will leverage these merits for observing and monitoring disaster-hit areas, forests, and sea ice. In addition, it will also challenge new areas such as monitoring infrastructure displacement.
The ALOS-4 will be equipped with the Automatic Identification System for ships (AIS) receiver, as was DAICHI-2, so that the satellite will also monitor oceans by receiving AIS signals from vessels as well as by acquiring the PALSAR-3 images. The SPace based AIS Experiment (SPAISE3) is a high performance satellite AIS. Effective countermeasures against radio wave interference regions are taken for the SPAISE3 with multiple antennas and groundbased data processing; therefore, the detection success rate of a ship in the heavy marine traffic areas will be improved compared to DAICHI-2. SPAISE3 development is JAXA's ongoing project in cooperation with NEC Corporation.

Courtesy of JAXA.

The H3 Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system with two stages. It is a liquid-propellant rocket with strap-on solid rocket boosters and will be launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.

Stats

Height: 63 m (207 ft).

Diameter: 5.27 m (17.3 ft).

Stages: 2

Boosters: 0, 2 or 4

Payload to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO): 4,000 kg (8,800 lb).

Payload to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO): 4,000–7,900 kg (8,800–17,400 lb).

The first stage uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants and carries zero, two or four strap-on solid rocket boosters (SRBs) using polybutadiene fuel. The first stage is powered by two or three LE-9 engines which uses an expander bleed cycle design. The fuel and oxidizer mass of the first stage is 225 metric tons. The second stage is powered by a single engine which is an improved LE-5B. The propellant mass of the second stage is 23 metric tons.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and JAXA are responsible for the design, manufacture, and operation of the H3. It is the world's first rocket to use an expander bleed cycle for the first stage engine.

The minimum configuration is to carry a payload of up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) for about 5 billion yen (38.1 million USD), and the maximum configuration is to carry more than 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

Credit: Wikipedia

LA-Y2

Launch Area - Yoshinobu Launch Complex 2 (LA-Y2 for short) is part of a two-launch-pad area of the Tanegashima Space Center used for the H-II family of rockets.

The pad is located just 190 meters (624 ft) from neighboring pad LA-Y1 and has been used -- to date -- exclusively for the H-IIB rocket for automated HTV resupply missions to the International Space Station.

The overall two-pad Yoshinobu Launch Complex is the northernmost launch site of the Tanegashima Space Center.

Rockets are assembled and processed vertically in the vehicle assembly building before technicians roll them out to the launch pad, a 30-minute journey of 365 meters.

LA-Y2 hosted its first launch in September 2009 and has been active ever since.

Tanegashima Space Center

The Tanegashima Space Center is Japan's largest launch center and gets its name from the island "Tanegashima" it is located on.

Located in southern Japan, it is part of the overall Range, which handles Japan’s orbital launches.

The center opened for operations in October 1969 as part of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). It is now owned by JAXA.

Tanegashima includes the Yoshinobu Launch Complex for the H-IIA and H-IIB rockets, a Vehicle Assembly Building, a Spacecraft Test and Assembly Building, and the Takesaki Range Control Center.

Image: Wikipedia