Michibiki

2025: Start of industrial operation of the system

On February 2, 2025 Japan , the Michibiki 6 navigation spacecraft (Mitibiki) was successfully launched into orbit, thanks to which the industrial operation of the quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) began. This platform is designed to provide positioning, navigation and synchronization services, as well as improve accuracy and reliability. GPS

Mitsubishi The Heavy Industries (MHI) H3 rocket with the Michibiki 6 satellite launched from the Tanegashima Space Center, located on the southeast coast of the island of the same name in Kagoshima Prefecture. 29 minutes after launch, the device was launched into a geostationary transition orbit. This launch was the fifth in the history of the two-stage H3 rocket developed by MHI in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

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Фото: Freepik

The Michibiki family of satellites is designed specifically for the Japanese positioning system, which provides location data with an accuracy of several centimeters. The first device of this series was launched in 2010. As of the beginning of 2025, four such satellites are in operation. It is expected that Michibiki 6 will enter a geostationary orbit with an altitude of about 36 thousand kilometers about half a month after launch, and its commissioning will take about six months.

From the point of view of users, QZSS is a differential correction system. The ground segment of the platform includes a main control station, two tracking and communication control stations, as well as eight observation stations, the location of which is selected to ensure maximum geographic coverage of monitoring. QZSS can be used in regions of Asia and Oceania with longitude close to Japan, due to which the application of the system will be expanded to other countries in these areas.^[1]

2018: System Launch

In late October 2018, Japan officially launched its global positioning system called Michibiki. This GLONASS analogue is said to complement GPS and works more accurately than American technology.

By the end of October 2018, Michibiki is using four orbital satellites. The latter among them was launched exactly a year earlier.

Signals from these satellites go at an angle that avoids interference from skyscrapers. Smartphones and car navigators that catch the signal will show the location more accurately and stably, NHK said.

Michibiki satellite

Michibiki satellites also emit a special tracking signal that allows you to determine the location of objects on Earth with an error of no more than 6 cm . At the same time, a high degree of encryption of signals helps to reliably protect them from interference that unfriendly states or terrorist organizations can create.

The accuracy of GPS measurements can exceed 10-15 meters, depending on the equipment used, data processing methods and other factors. Although in most cases this is enough, in some cases more is required: for example, when an autonomous drone moves quickly enough above the earth's surface.

Within a few years, the Michibiki system will serve as an addition to American GPS, but from 2023, after launching all planned satellites into orbit, it will become independent.

The Japanese technology is supposed to find applications in self-driving cars and fully automated agricultural machinery such as tractors and rice harvesting machines. In addition, experts predict a great future for Michibiki when used by delivery services, for example, using drones.^[2]

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