Key statistics
Satellite H-2A R/B at a glance.
Uptime
4741
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.9
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
98.4
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for H-2A R/B.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: H-2A R/B
International designator: 2012-025E
Object number (NORAD): 38341
Object ID (CCSDS): 38341
Country: JAPAN (JPN)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 96.461 minutes
Inclination: 98.4356 deg
SMA: 6967.231 km
Apoapsis: 620.824 km
Periapsis: 557.367 km
RAAN: 69.1615 deg
Eccentricy: 0.004554
Argument of periapsis: 223.9065 deg
Mean anomaly: 135.853 deg
Mean motion: 14.92837347 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.0000287 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00027819 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: May 10, 2025, 2:32 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: May 9, 2025, 9:38 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 H-2A R/B
TLE line 1: 1 38341U 12025E 25129.90152208 .00002870 00000-0 27819-3 0 9992
TLE line 2: 2 38341 98.4356 69.1615 0045540 223.9065 135.8530 14.92837347702865
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite H-2A R/B.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object H-2A R/B.
Associated 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.
H-2A R/B 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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