On 11th Fabruary, Ohsumi became Japan’s First Successful Satellite – Ohsumi Satellite Explained!
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Introduction to Ohsumi Satellite UPSC
Today is 11 February 2024. Exactly 54 years from today, Ohsumi Satellite has became Japan’s first successful satellite. Before this, Japan has faced 4 major facilities.
First successful satellite of any country defines the golden moment of that country. Similarly, this satellite was a golden moment for Japan’s Space exploration agency named JAXA.
In this blog today, we will provide you all information about Ohsumi Satellite. If you are also excited to know of it, then read this blog to the end.
So, let’s start-
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Why Ohsumi Satellite is in News? – Ohsumi Satellite UPSC Current Affairs
The Ohsumi Satellite is making headlines today because it’s the 54th anniversary since it was launched on February 11, 1970. This celebration highlights how Japan sent its first satellite into space, a big achievement that happened a long time ago.
What is Ohsumi Satellite?
The Ohsumi Satellite is a special thing for Japan. It’s their first satellite that went into space on February 11, 1970. Imagine, it’s like Japan’s space birthday! Back then, after World War II, Japan had some rules about military stuff, but they still wanted to explore space.
They tried a few times, and at first, it didn’t work so well. But on the fifth try, on February 11, 1970, they did it! The rocket called L-4S carried the Ohsumi Satellite up and around the Earth. This was a big deal because Japan became the fourth country to launch its own satellite, after Russia, the U.S., and France.
The Ohsumi Satellite did cool experiments about the sky and space. It worked for many years before coming back to Earth in 2003. Even though it’s not up there anymore, it showed that Japan can do cool things in space and opened the door for more space adventures. The Ohsumi Satellite is like Japan’s space hero, proving that even with challenges, they can reach for the stars.
Objectives of Ohsumi Satellite
The primary goals of the Ōsumi Satellite, launched on February 11, 1970, were:
1. Pioneering Japan’s Space Exploration
The main objective was to establish Japan as a participant in space exploration by successfully launching and operating its first artificial satellite.
2. Demonstrating Technological Capability
The mission aimed to demonstrate Japan’s technological capabilities in designing, launching, and managing a satellite in space.
3. Contributing to Scientific Research
Ōsumi was equipped to conduct scientific experiments, particularly focused on ionospheric studies and atmospheric observations, contributing valuable data to global scientific research.
4. International Recognition
By achieving independent satellite launch capability, Japan sought international recognition, becoming the fourth nation, after the USSR, United States, and France, to release its artificial satellite into a successful orbit.
5. Honoring the Ōsumi Peninsula
The satellite was named after the Ōsumi Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, where the launch site was situated, honoring the geographical location associated with the mission.
Benefits of Ohsumi Satellite – Ohsumi Satellite Capabilities
The Ōsumi satellite provided several benefits to Japan:
- Technological Competence: The success of Ōsumi demonstrated Japan’s ability to develop and operate advanced satellite technology independently, showcasing its technological competence on the global stage.
- Scientific Advancements: The satellite’s experiments contributed to scientific knowledge in areas such as ionospheric studies, atmospheric observations, solar X-ray emissions, cosmic rays, and geomagnetic micropulsations, enhancing Japan’s standing in space-based research.
- International Recognition: By becoming the fourth nation to independently launch a satellite into orbit, Japan gained international recognition. This achievement helped foster collaborations with other space-faring nations and organizations.
- National Pride and Inspiration: The successful launch of Ōsumi instilled a sense of national pride and served as an inspiration for future generations of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts in Japan.
- Space Industry Growth: Ōsumi’s success laid the foundation for Japan’s space exploration program, contributing to the growth of the country’s space industry and fostering advancements in satellite technology and space-related research.
Scientific Payloads of Ohsumi Satellite
The Ohsumi satellite didn’t carry scientific payloads in the traditional sense, it did have five onboard experiments designed to gather scientific data:
- Ionospheric Temperature Probe: Measured electron and ion temperatures in the ionosphere.
- Ionospheric Electron Density Gauge: Measured electron density variations in the ionosphere.
- Solar X-ray Monitor: Detected and measured X-ray emissions from the Sun.
- Cosmic Ray Counter: Detected and counted energetic particles in space.
- Geomagnetic Micropulsation Detector: Measured magnetic field fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
Ohsumi’s Orbit and Longevity
Ohsumi, Japan’s first successful satellite launched in 1970, orbited Earth for decades before re-entering the atmosphere on August 2, 2003.
Positioned in a hyperellipse with a perigee of 337 km and an apogee of 5,151 km, Ohsumi’s strategic orbit allowed prolonged survival.
Despite challenges like power reduction from unexpected temperatures, Ohsumi’s durability shone through. It re-entered over North Africa, ending its journey at the border between Egypt and Libya.
Key Facts about Ohsumi Satellite UPSC
We have added a few key important facts about Ohsumi Satellite below-
| Facts | Details |
| Mission type | Earth science |
| Operator | Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo (now part of JAXA) |
| COSPAR ID | 1970-011A (Edit this at Wikidata) |
| SATCAT no. | 04330 (Edit this on Wikidata) |
| Mission duration | Launch to Re-entry: 33 years, 5 months, and 21 days |
| Launch mass | 24.0 kilograms (52.9 lb) |
| Power | 10.3 watts |
| Launch date | February 11, 1970, 04:25 UTC |
| Rocket | Lambda-4S |
| Launch site | Kagoshima LA-L |
| Contractor | ISAS (Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science) |
| Last contact | February 12, 1970 |
| Decay date | August 2, 2003 |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.262379 |
| Perigee altitude | 350 kilometres (220 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 5,140 kilometres (3,190 mi) |
| Inclination | 31.0 degrees |
| Period | 144.0 minutes |
| Epoch | 10 February 1970, 23:25:00 UTC |
FAQs on Ohsumi Satellite – UPSC Questions on Ohsumi Satellite
Question-1: What was the first successful satellite of India?
Answer. India’s first successful satellite was Aryabhata, launched on April 19, 1975, marking the country’s entry into space exploration.
Question-2: What was the first successful satellite of the USA?
Answer. Explorer 1 was the first successful satellite of the United States. Launched on January 31, 1958, it made historic discoveries, including the detection of the Van Allen radiation belts.
Question-3: What was the first successful satellite of China?
Answer. China’s first successful satellite was Dong Fang Hong 1, launched on April 24, 1970. It made China the fifth country globally to launch its satellite into orbit.
Question-4: What is the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite is Japan’s first successful satellite, launched on February 11, 1970.
Question-5: Who operated the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite was operated by the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo (now part of JAXA).
Question-6: What was the mission type of the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The mission type of the Ohsumi satellite was Earth science.
Question-7: How long did the Ohsumi satellite operate?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite operated for 33 years, 5 months, and 21 days from launch to re-entry.
Question-8: What was the launch date of the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite was launched on February 11, 1970, at 04:25 UTC.
Question-9: Which rocket was used to launch the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite was launched using the Lambda-4S rocket.
Question-10: Where was the launch site for the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The launch site for the Ohsumi satellite was Kagoshima LA-L.
Question-11: What was the mass of the Ohsumi satellite at launch?
Answer. The mass of the Ohsumi satellite at launch was 24.0 kilograms (52.9 lb).
Question-12: What was the power capacity of the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite had a power capacity of 10.3 watts.
Question-13: When did the Ohsumi satellite make its last contact?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite made its last contact on February 12, 1970.
Question-14: When did the Ohsumi satellite decay and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite decayed and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on August 2, 2003.
Question-15: What was the reference system for the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The reference system for the Ohsumi satellite was geocentric.
Question-16: In which orbital regime did the Ohsumi satellite operate?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite operated in the Medium Earth orbital regime.
Question-17: What was the eccentricity of the Ohsumi satellite’s orbit?
Answer. The eccentricity of the Ohsumi satellite’s orbit was 0.262379.
Question-18: What were the altitudes of the Ohsumi satellite’s perigee and apogee?
Answer. The perigee altitude was 350 kilometres (220 mi), and the apogee altitude was 5,140 kilometres (3,190 mi).
Question-19: What was the inclination of the Ohsumi satellite’s orbit?
Answer. The inclination of the Ohsumi satellite’s orbit was 31.0 degrees.
Question-20: What was the orbital period of the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The orbital period of the Ohsumi satellite was 144.0 minutes.
Question-21: Who was the contractor for the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The contractor for the Ohsumi satellite was ISAS (Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science).
Question-22: What was the COSPAR ID of the Ohsumi satellite?
Answer. The COSPAR ID of the Ohsumi satellite was 1970-011A.
Question-23: Why was the Ohsumi satellite named as such?
Answer. The Ohsumi satellite was named after the Ōsumi Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, where the launch site was located.
