Earth Science
GOSAT-GW (Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite Greenhouse gases and Water cycle), also known as Ibuki GW and formerly known as GOSAT 3, is JAXA's next generation satellite to monitor the greenhosue gases like carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. It is the follow on to the GOSAT 2 (Ibuki 2) and GCOM-W (Shizuku) missions. GOSAT-GW will have two missions: greenhouse gases observation for Japan's Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and water-cycle observation for JAXA. By developing the GOSAT-GW satellite, Mitsubishi Electric will contribute to measures for preventing disasters attributed to global warming and climate change, and to advance scientific and technological methods that enable more accurate prediction of climate change. In December 2013, Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) was selected as the prime contractor for the spacecraft and the instruments.
Orbital Attempt
#6,994
JAXA Mission
#37
Pad Launch
#57
Location Launch
#95
Designator
2025-141
Jun 28, 2025, 4:33 PM
Second
1 update
The H-IIA rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The liquid fuelled rocket has been used to launch satellites, lunar spacecraft and planetary science craft.
Length
53 m
Diameter
4 m
Launch Mass
347 t
Thrust
2,260 kN
LEO Capacity
10,000 kg
GTO Capacity
5,000 kg
Launch Cost
$90M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2002
Fastest Turnaround
6mo 18d
Total Launches
7
Successful
6
Failed
1
Consecutive Success
3
Maiden flight: Feb 4, 2002
Launch success.
SourceSpacecraft separation.
SourceLiftoff.
SourceRescheduled for June 28 UTC.
SourceLaunch delayed due to 2nd stage electrical system problem; new launch date TBD.
SourceGO for launch.
SourceNET June 23 UTC/early morning June 24 JST.
SourceNET June 2025.
SourceNET Q2 due to satellite testing delays.
SourceTweaked approximate launch date per launch manifest (P.129 of source).
SourceThe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.
Founded
2003
Administrator
Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa
Total Launches
37
Successful
33
Failed
4
Pending
2
Consecutive Success
2
The Tanegashima Space Center is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan. It is located on the southeastern tip of Tanegashima, an island located south of Kyushu, an island and region and Japan. It was established in 1969 when the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was formed, and is now run by JAXA. The activities that take place at TNSC include assembly, testing, launching, and tracking satellites, as well as rocket engine firing tests.
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Local Launch Time
Jun 29, 2025, 1:33 AM
Total Launches
97
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
30.4000, 130.9700