Countdown Report

Please refer to the news page.

The separation of MICHIBIKI was confirmed. An updated status of the MICHIBIKI will be given on JAXA's website. This is the end of the Countdown Report. Thank you for visiting our website.

H-IIA F18 is flying smoothly.

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.18 carrying the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite "MICHIBIKI" lifted off at 20:17:00 JST on September 11, 2010 from the Tanegashima Space Center.

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H-IIA rocket F18 lifted off. 3

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H-IIA rocket F18 lifted off. 2

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H-IIA rocket F18 lifted off. 1

Four and a half minutes to liftoff. The automatic countdown sequence has started.

We have 30 minutes to launch.

The X-60 minutes terminal countdown operation has started. JAXA live launch webcast will start at 19:45 JST.

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The X-60 minutes terminal countdown operation has started.

The green light was given for the X-60 minutes terminal countdown operation.

The second attitude control system flight slew test has been completed.

Checking of the radio frequency system between the launch vehicle and ground stations has been completed.

It was confirmed that the first and second stage liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks have been fully loaded.

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H-IIA rocket F18 liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks fully loaded.

The attitude control system flight slew test has been completed.

Pre-cooling operations for the liquid hydrogen and oxygen loading systems have commenced.

Terminal countdown operations have started. Access is restricted inside a 400 meters radius from the launch pad.

All aspects of the operation - the readiness of the launch vehicle, the spacecraft, the launch facility, the vehicle tracking and control system, and weather conditions - have been confirmed, and we are go for propellant loading operations. Preparation for the loading will start soon.

H-IIA F18 arrives at the launch pad. Launch vehicle and pad facility connection operation starts.

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H-IIA rocket F18 has arrived at launch pad. Panoramic view.

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H-IIA rocket F18 has arrived at launch pad.

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H-IIA rocket F18 is moving toward launch pad.

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Around the launch site.

H-IIA F18 carrying MICHIBIKI atop the second stage leaves for the launch pad. The launch vehicle, mounted on a mobile launcher, will travel approximately 500 meters from the VAB to the launch pad. This takes approximately 30 minutes.

This is an updated Launch Countdown Report on the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite "MICHIBIKI" which will be launched using the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.18 (H-IIA F18). The weather conditions were checked and the green light given, for transportation of H-IIA F18 from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad. The scheduled launch time of tomorrow September 11 is 20:17:00 JST.