ETS-VIII

Organization	JAXA, NICT, NTT
Mission Type	Satellite communication
Satellite of	Earth
Launch	December 18, 2006 on a H-IIA rocket
Launch site	Tanegashima Space Center
Mission duration	10 years
Launch Mass	5800 kg
Webpage	JAXA
Orbital elements
Apogee
Eccentricity
Inclination
Orbital Period
Right ascension of the ascending node
Argument of perigee
Instruments

JAXA Engineering Test Satellite ETS-VIII (Kiku 8) is the eighth technology test satellite in a series which started with ETS-1 in 1975 by NASDA. It was launched with the H-2A on December 18 2006. ETS-VIII was developed by JAXA in cooperation with NICT and NTT. The aim of ETS-VIII is to enable satellite communications with small terminals. Unlike the Iridium satellites for mobile communication, ETS-VIII is positioned at GEO. However to fulfill the task the satellite must carry two very large antennas.

Timetable

• October 14, 2006 Launch of LDREX-2 with the Ariane 5, model antenna successfully deployed.
• December 26, 2006 Both antennas were deployed.
• January 9, 2007 GEO orbit injection.
• May 9, 2007 The satellite switched to normal operation phase.

Links