Key statistics
Satellite GCOM W1 at a glance.
Uptime
4797
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.6
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
98.2
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for GCOM W1.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: GCOM W1
International designator: 2012-025A
Object number (NORAD): 38337
Object ID (CCSDS): 38337
Country: JAPAN (JPN)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 98.824 minutes
Inclination: 98.202 deg
SMA: 7080.574 km
Apoapsis: 703.334 km
Periapsis: 701.543 km
RAAN: 125.9587 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0001265
Argument of periapsis: 75.2512 deg
Mean anomaly: 37.1105 deg
Mean motion: 14.57136061 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000406 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.000099989 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: July 4, 2025, 6:39 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: July 4, 2025, 10:29 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 GCOM W1
TLE line 1: 1 38337U 12025A 25185.43733525 .00000406 00000-0 99989-4 0 9995
TLE line 2: 2 38337 98.2020 125.9587 0001265 75.2512 37.1105 14.57136061698396
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite GCOM W1.
In-orbit conjunctions
There are no conjunctions computed for GCOM W1, at the moment. Check back to stay up to date, as we update our databases every day.
Go to all conjunctionsAssociated space launch
The GCOM-W (Global Change Observation Mission - Water) or Shizuku satellite aims to construct, use, and verify systems that enable continuous global-scale observations (for 10 to 15 years) of effective geophysical parameters for elucidating global climate change and water circulation mechanisms. Water circulation changes will be observed by a microwave radiometer onboard the GCOM-W (Water) satellite (scheduled to be launched in Japan Fiscal Year 2011). The GCOM-W will observe precipitation, vapor amounts, wind velocity above the ocean, sea water temperatures, water levels on land areas and snow depths. Climate change observation will be performed by a multi-wavelength optical radiometer onboard the GCOM-C (Climate) satellite (under consideration) on clouds, aerosol, seawater color (marine organisms), vegetation, snow and ice. These satellites will enable us to perform comprehensive observations of the surface layer of the Earth such as the atmosphere, including clouds, land, oceans and the cryosphere. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) is a sensor to observe radiometers, or microwaves emitted naturally from the ground, sea surface and atmosphere, using 6 different frequency bands ranging from 7 GHz to 89 GHz. The strength of a natural microwave is determined by its characteristics and moisture, including the surface condition and temperature of the material. Although it depends on the frequency, the microwave is very weak. AMSR2 will detect such weak microwaves at an altitude of 700 kilometers and measure the strength of them with a very high accuracy. For example, by measuring the strength of a microwave emitted from the sea surface with the AMSR2, one can understand the water temperature of the sea surface to an accuracy of 0.5 degrees Celsius.
GCOM W1 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘H-IIA 202 | GCOM-W1’, on board a H-IIA space rocket.
The launch took place on May 17, 2012, 4:39 p.m. from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
H-IIA 202 | GCOM-W1
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: May 17, 2012, 4:39 p.m. UTC
Rocket: H-IIA
Launch pad: Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
Location: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
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