Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (Michibiki)

Regional navigation satellite constellationIn servicePending verification

Also known as: QZSS, Michibiki

SpaceJPN

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Fact cardConfidence · Source

System

TypeRegional navigation satellite constellation

Alternative designationsQZSS, Michibiki

ProliferationOrigin country only

Planned satellites7At least four always over JapanMed^[1]

Program statusMichibiki 7 (QZS-7) launched on an H3-22 from Tanegashima on 10 August 2026, the last of three satellites for the seven-satellite constellationMed^[2]

Orbit

Orbit regimeQZO (inclined geosynchronous), GEO and quasi-GEOMed^[3]

Catalogued on orbit7Payloads with current element sets in the public catalog, active or not.High^[4]

Active (CelesTrak)6Count in the CelesTrak active satellites list, which estimates operational status.Med^[4]

Perigee32,619–35,780 kmActive satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[4]

Apogee35,795–38,956 kmActive satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[4]

Orbital period1,436.1–1,436.4 minActive satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[4]

Inclination0.02–40.01 °Active satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[4]

Catalogued satellites · 7^[4]

Name	NORAD	COSPAR	Perigee km	Apogee km	Incl. °	Period min	Status
QZS-1 (MICHIBIKI-1)	37158	2010-045A	39,686	39,754	44.42	1641.7	Inactive
QZS-2 (MICHIBIKI-2)	42738	2017-028A	32,650	38,935	39.25	1436.4	Active
QZS-3 (MICHIBIKI-3)	42917	2017-048A	35,780	35,795	0.09	1436.1	Active
QZS-4 (MICHIBIKI-4)	42965	2017-062A	32,626	38,954	40.01	1436.3	Active
QZS-1R (MICHIBIKI-1R)	49336	2021-096A	32,619	38,956	37.76	1436.1	Active
QZS-6 (MICHIBIKI-6)	62876	2025-023A	35,777	35,795	0.02	1436.1	Active
QZS-7 (MICHIBIKI-7)	100270	2026-182A	35,456	36,125	2.86	1436.3	Active

Mean elements at epoch 2026-11-08 or later. Perigee and apogee are computed from mean motion and eccentricity and are approximate. Status follows the CelesTrak active list.

Summary

Japan's regional navigation and augmentation system, expanded from four to seven satellites so Japan can position independently of GPS.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.

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Operators

Japan

Sources

Japan to complete 7-orbiter geolocation system, SatNews
Published/updated 2025-12-02 · Tier 3 · checked 2026-11-08
H3-22 | Michibiki 7 (QZS-7) launch record, SpaceNexus (Launch Library 2 data)
Published/updated 2026-08-10 · Tier 3 · checked 2026-11-08
Michibiki seven-satellite constellation, NEC (citing qzss.go.jp, Cabinet Office)
Tier 3 · checked 2026-11-08
NORAD GP element sets (current data), CelesTrak (data from the U.S. Space Force 18th/19th Space Defense Squadron catalog)
Published/updated 2026-11-08 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-11-08

Change log

2026-11-08 Entry created from cited open sources
2026-11-08 Orbital elements from CelesTrak GP data (epoch about 2026-11-08): 7 catalogued, 6 active.