QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) Navigation System

Astronautics in Japan

Main article: Cosmonautics in Japan

2025: Product Announcement

In December 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the launches of the sixth and seventh satellites of the Mitibiki series. These launches will completely complete the formation of the national satellite positioning system Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which has been developed for 22 years.

According to Japan Wire, the launch of the seventh vehicle will be carried out using a heavy H3 launch vehicle. Putting the vehicles into orbit will provide QZSS with complete independence from foreign navigation systems such as American GPS or Russian GLONASS. The project to create its own positioning system was initiated by Japan in 2003, and the first Mitibiki satellite was launched in September 2010.

𝓲

Фото: Freepik

The QZSS system is designed for high-precision determination of coordinates in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. Its key advantage is the minimum error of several centimeters for civilian users, which is much more accurate than existing analogues.

The technical architecture of QZSS involves the placement of satellites in special quasisenite orbits. This means that each device can be over Japan for a long time. It is planned that by 2029 the positioning accuracy for smartphones and car navigators will reach 1.6 m, reports Japan Wire.

The high degree of protection of QZSS navigation signals from interference and unauthorized access will allow connecting the armed forces and special services of the country to the system. In the future, the technology will be critical for the development of unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems.

According to experts from Japan, the commercial market for services based on this positioning system is capable of reaching $18.2 billion. By the 2030s, the constellation could be expanded to 11 satellites for guaranteed reliability.^[1]

Notes