Japan launches successor to aging GPS satellite into orbit (Image credit- The Japan Times)
According to Tokyo’s space policy committee, Japan is planning to increase its GPS-style satellite system to 11, increasing position precision across the country by several centimeters.
According to the reports, the Michibiki Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, a network of satellites above Japan and Australia in geosynchronous orbit, would be enhanced with the new satellites, enabling users to pinpoint their location independently of the American network.
Four or more satellites are required for satellite positioning, however, a larger number of satellites is preferred for accurate positioning data.
However, there are fewer visible GPS satellites in urban and mountainous areas where satellite signals are impeded by objects like buildings and trees, making it occasionally impossible to acquire positional data steadily.
As a supplement to GPS, the system now operates with four satellites. The system might work independently of GPS and cover practically all of Japan, including urban and mountainous areas if seven additional satellites are added.
Nikkei highlights the importance of improvement for a number of factors. Autonomous vehicles and drone delivery services require precise location data, and these industries are expanding across Asia and Oceania.
The Michibiki system will be expanded to encourage the spread of technology abroad.
A Japanese H-IIA rocket launched the first Michibiki satellite in 2010, and the system has been operational with four satellites since 2018.
According to Nikkei, a Japanese system that is independent is crucial for national security reasons. Japan could still gather precise information during natural disasters or other emergencies even if it were unable to use GPS for any reason.
According to a report, Japan had long raised concerns about relying on the US-launched GPS, which went into operation in 1995. Japan has always been very forthright about developing a similar capacity at home should it be cut off or denied access.
By receiving signals from both American GPS satellites and Michibiki in the Asia-Oceania region, users may pinpoint their location with excellent accuracy. The integrated service enables centimeter-level accuracy, while civilian usage of GPS alone is accurate to a few meters.
Michibiki is designed to only operate over a particular region, unlike the American GPS and China’s BeiDou navigation satellite systems, which are both worldwide in scope and comprise many satellites. Experts consider the system to be “complete” with 11 operational satellites.
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This summer, the cabinet is expected to accept the committee’s space plan, which includes upgrading Michibiki. There isn’t yet a specific deadline for the expansion, though.
Japan and its neighbors stand to gain significantly from the extension of the Michibiki system, which will provide better locational accuracy for a variety of uses. As a result, travel will be safer and more efficient, delivery services will be improved, and sophisticated national security measures will be possible.
