Key statistics
Satellite SDS-4 at a glance.
Uptime
4742
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.7
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
98.1
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for SDS-4.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: SDS-4
International designator: 2012-025C
Object number (NORAD): 38339
Object ID (CCSDS): 38339
Country: JAPAN (JPN)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 97.642 minutes
Inclination: 98.1456 deg
SMA: 7024.003 km
Apoapsis: 651.431 km
Periapsis: 640.306 km
RAAN: 219.3809 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0007919
Argument of periapsis: 137.6391 deg
Mean anomaly: 222.543 deg
Mean motion: 14.74774746 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00001198 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00018682 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: May 11, 2025, 2:40 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: May 10, 2025, 10:06 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 SDS-4
TLE line 1: 1 38339U 12025C 25130.92090689 .00001198 00000-0 18682-3 0 9997
TLE line 2: 2 38339 98.1456 219.3809 0007919 137.6391 222.5430 14.74774746696672
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite SDS-4.
In-orbit conjunctions
There are no conjunctions computed for SDS-4, 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.
SDS-4 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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