Kiku-8
H-IIA 204
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Mission
Kiku-8
Type: Communications
ETS-VIII (Engineering Test Satellite) is to be launched in 2006, with the main purpose of dealing with the increasing demand for digital communications, such as mobile phones and other mobile devices. The satellite, with a gross weight of around three tons and a diameter of 40 meters, has two Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors (LDAR) and two Solar Array paddles. One LDAR, about the size of a tennis court, is one of the world’s largest geostationary satellites. Its size will enable direct communications with a geostationary satellite that covers all of Japan, making mobile communications more reliable. Currently under development are Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors with metal-mesh, high-power transponders, and on-board processors. The technologies used in the development of these LDARs will be applicable to other large space structures. A subscale test of the LDARs was flown as the LDREX experiment.
Trajectory
The trajectory is unavailable. Check back for updates.
Location
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
88 rockets have launched from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.
Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency – JAXA
- Type: Government
- Abbreviation: JAXA
- Administration: Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa
- Founded: 2003
- Launchers: H-II
- Country: JPN
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.
