Success
Kiku-8
Communications
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)Government
H-IIA 2024
GTOorbit
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.
Monday, December 18, 2006 at 6:32 AM
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#4,813
JAXA Mission
#21
Pad Launch
#18
Location Launch
#42
Designator
2006-059
Launch Window
NET
Dec 18, 2006, 6:32 AM
Schedule Changes
1 update
H-IIA 2024 Specs
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.
Length
53 m
Diameter
4 m
Launch Mass
347 t
Thrust
2,260 kN
LEO Capacity
10,000 kg
GTO Capacity
5,000 kg
Launch Cost
$90M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2002
Fastest Turnaround
6mo 18d
Total Launches
7
Successful
6
Failed
1
Consecutive Success
3
Maiden flight: Feb 4, 2002
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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.
Founded
2003
Administrator
Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa
Total Launches
37
Successful
33
Failed
4
Pending
2
Consecutive Success
2
Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
The Tanegashima Space Center is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan. It is located on the southeastern tip of Tanegashima, an island located south of Kyushu, an island and region and Japan. It was established in 1969 when the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was formed, and is now run by JAXA. The activities that take place at TNSC include assembly, testing, launching, and tracking satellites, as well as rocket engine firing tests.
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Local Launch Time
Dec 18, 2006, 3:32 PM
Total Launches
97
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
30.4000, 130.9700