Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

Country/ies of originJapan
OperatorQuasi-Zenith Satellite System Services Inc. / Cabinet Office
TypeCivilian
StatusOperational
CoverageRegional
AccuracyPNT <10 m (public)
SLAS <1 m (public)
CLAS <10 cm (public)
Constellation size
Nominal satellites8
Current usable satellites5
First launch11 September 2010
Last launch2 February 2025
Total launches6
Orbital characteristics
Regime3x GSO
Other details
CostJPY 160 billion
Websiteqzss.go.jp/en/

The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) (Japanese: 準天頂衛星システム, Hepburn: juntenchō eisei shisutemu), also known as Michibiki (みちびき, "guidance"), is a regional navigation satellite system (RNSS) and a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) developed by the Japanese government to enhance the United States-operated Global Positioning System (GPS) in the Asia-Oceania regions, with a focus on Japan. The goal of QZSS is to provide highly precise and stable positioning services in the Asia-Oceania region, compatible with GPS. Four-satellite QZSS services were available on a trial basis as of 12 January 2018, and officially started on 1 November 2018. A satellite navigation system independent of GPS is planned for 2023 with seven satellites. In May 2023 it was announced that the system would expand to eleven satellites.