Design Concept of Quasi Zenith Satellite Sytem

Paper number

IAC-07-B2.1.03

Author

Dr. Noriyasu Inaba, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ISTA/JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Akihiro Matsumoto, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Hidemi Hase, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Satoshi Kogure, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Mikio Sawabe, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Koji Terada, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Year

2007

Abstract

Japanese government decided to develop satellite navigation system; Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). Satellites are deployed in inclined, elliptical geosynchronous orbit, which allows seamless PNT (positioning, navigation and timing) message broadcasting to users around Japan and Oceania even at urban canyon and mountainous terrain. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is in charge to design and develop the first spacecraft and to operate initial phase of the system. Technical demonstration and verification will be conducted by JAXA and related national laboratories by broadcasting GPS compatible and augmentation signals, as well as Japanese original messages.

Design concept of QZSS is quite different from those of GPS or Galileo system, since requirements of the systems are quite deferent in terms of the service, service area, and more importantly policy of national space development behind. QZSS is going to be defined as an important element of the proposed law that promotes usage of geological information system linked to satellite based navigation for safety and better quality of life in nation wide (National Spacial Data Infrastructure Law). The law is now discussed at Japanese Diet.

Japan is the one of the most advanced country at civilian GPS applications, for instance car navigation and land surveying. Since the “Japanese E911” law is in effect from this year, all the latest G3 models of Japanese cell phones are equipped with GPS receivers. The number of the GPS cell phone will reach to tens of million that will share the majority of the world market in a few years. The GPS augmentation and individual navigation information provided by QZSS will make advanced and novel applications in civilian satellite navigation area in accordance with the rapid growing of users in Japan.

One of the concepts in designing QZSS is to make maximize the benefit of Japanese technical legacy of GEO satellite system, not only in hardware technologies but also in operational technologies. Necessary modifications are made to accommodate special requirement to endure the special orbital environment and to meet mission requirements. This concept will make the system relatively inexpensive and reliable and make another fruit to improve GEO satellite technologies in a long run. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-B2.1.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-B2.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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