WINDS

Infobox_Spacecraft
Name = WINDS (Kizuna)
Organisation = JAXA/NICT
Mission_Type = Comsat
Satellite_Of = Earth
Launch = 23 February 2008
Carrier_Rocket = H-IIA
Mission_Duration = 5 years (design)
NSSDC_ID = 2008-007A
Webpage = [http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/winds/index_e.html JAXA]
Mass = Launch: 4,850 kg
On Orbit: 2,750 kg
Power = Solar panels
Orbital_elements = Yes
Orbit_regime = Geosynchronous
Longitude = 143^oE
Inclination = 0^o
Orbital_Period = 24 hours
Apoapsis = ~35,786 km
Periapsis = ~35,786 km

WINDS (Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite, also known as Kizuna), is a Japanese communication satellite. Launch was originally scheduled for 2007. The launch date was eventually set for 15 February 2008, however a problem detected in a second stage manoeuvring thruster delayed it to 23 February. Lift-off occurred at 08:55 GMT on 23 February, and the satellite separated from the carrier rocket, into a Geosynchronous transfer orbit at 09:23, launched by an H-IIA carrier rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. It will be used to relay the internet to Japanese homes and businesses, through Ka-Band signals. It will also develop technologies to be utilised by future Japanese communication spacecraft. It is part of Japan's i-Space program, and is to be operated by JAXA and NICT.

JAXA claim that WINDS will be able to provide 155 Mbit/s download speed to home users with 45-centimetre diameter satellite dishes, whilst providing industrial users, via 5-metre diameter dishes, with 1.2 Gbit/s speeds.cite web|url=http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/brochure/pdf/04/sat07.pdf|title=JAXA - 超高速インターネット衛星―WINDS|publisher=JAXA|accessdate=2008-02-23|date=2007-12-26]

WINDS has a launch mass of 4,850 kg, reducing to around 2,750 kg when in orbit. The spacecraft is 8 m x 3 m x 2 m in size, and its solar panels have a span of 21.5 metres. It has three-axis stabilisation, and a design life expectancy of five years.

ee also

*H-IIA
*JAXA
*Satellite Internet access

References

External links

* [http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/winds/index_e.html JAXA website about WINDS]
* [http://spacefellowship.com/News/?p=4601 LIVE COVERAGE: H-IIA KIZUNA (WINDS) Launch (updated 1:20 GMT) 1:20 GMT (8:20 pm EST): T-6 hours. Fueling of the H-IIA has commenced]