- ETS-VIII
JAXA Engineering Test Satellite ETS-VIII (Kiku 8) is the eighth technology test satellite in a series which started with ETS-1 in 1975 byNASDA . It was launched with theH-2A on December 18 2006.ETS-VIII was developed byJAXA in cooperation withNICT andNTT .The aim of ETS-VIII is to enablesatellite communication s 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 theAriane 5 , model antenna successfully deployed.
*December 26 , 2006 Both antennas were deployed. [http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2006/12/20061226_kiku8-2_e.html]
*January 9 ,2007 GEO orbit injection. [http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2007/01/20070109_kiku8_e.html]
*May 9 , 2007 The satellite switched to normal operation phase. [http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2007/05/20070509_sac_kiku8.pdf]Links
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