Japan to Expand Homegrown GPS Network with 11 New Satellites

Japan is planning to increase the number of its satellites in its GPS-style system to 11. Currently, they have four satellites that allow users to determine their precise location virtually anywhere in the country without relying on the American network.

A New Goal Has Been Set

Tokyo's space policy committee has set a goal to expand the Michibiki Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. The system consists of satellites in geosynchronous orbit above Japan and Australia.

Through the system, users in the Asia-Oceania region can know their locations with an accuracy of several centimeters.

The country hopes to have the committee's basic plan for space, including an upgrade to the Michibiki approved by the cabinet this year. However, there is no target date yet for the expansion, as reported by NikkeiAsia.

How This Will Change Things

With 11 satellites, the system will be able to cover almost all of the country, including mountainous and urban areas.

This will be crucial for self-driving automobiles and drone delivery services. Also, Japan also plan to promote the use of Michibiki internationally.

It would also be helpful for national security should the country be unable to use GPS for any reason. With 11 satellites, it could still gather precise information during natural disasters or other emergencies.

The availability of Michibiki will also improve the accuracy of location-based services such as navigation and mapping. It will enable better tracking of goods and assets, which could benefit logistics and supply chain industries. In addition, it could also boost tourism as visitors can navigate more easily and accurately around Japan.

(Photo : STR/AFP via Getty Images)
An H-IIA rocket carrying satellite "Michibiki" No.3 blasts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in Minamitane, Kagoshima prefecture on August 19, 2017. Japan on August 19 launched the third satellite "Michibiki" No.3 in its effort to build a homegrown geolocation system aimed at improving the accuracy of car navigation systems and smartphone maps to mere centimetres.

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The launch of Michibiki also signals Japan's growing presence and competition in the global space industry. It could lead to collaborations with other countries to develop and implement similar satellite systems.

The launch of Michibiki will have a significant impact on various industries and sectors, improving efficiency, accuracy, and safety in different areas.

Michibiki will also enhance the reliability and safety of aviation. With its precise positioning capabilities, it can help aircraft navigate more accurately and avoid collisions with other planes or obstacles on the ground. This is especially important in Japan, where natural disasters such as earthquakes could affect air travel.

The satellite system will also have implications for scientific research. It can be used to gather data on weather patterns, climate change, ocean currents, and seismic activity, which would benefit researchers across different fields.

In addition to these practical applications, Michibiki has symbolic significance for Japan's national pride and technological advancement. The launch marks a major achievement in space technology, showcasing Japan's ability to compete with other countries like China and Russia, which have their own satellite systems.

The success of this project could inspire further investment by the government into similar initiatives aimed at boosting innovation within various industries, including transportation and communication networks, among others.

Overall, Michibiki represents an exciting development for Japanese society and globally as it opens up new possibilities for advancements in science, culture, and economy through greater connectivity, safety, reliability, and accuracy made possible by cutting-edge technologies developed through international collaboration efforts between public-private sectors worldwide.