H-IIA 2024 | IGS Radar 2 & IGS Optical 3V

The IGS Radar 2 & Optical 3V (Intelligence Gathering Satellite) are Japanese radar and optical reconnaissance satellites. The satellites are operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center. The satellites serve both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring.

The H-IIA rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The liquid fuelled rocket has been used to launch satellites, lunar spacecraft and planetary science craft.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.