Launch of KIKU No. 8/H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 11
						Opening the door to the future by deploying big antennas and providing security
						-- Large-size satellite opens up new mobile phone communication world --

Topics

"Kiku No. 8" shifted to regular operation
The "Kiku No. 8," which was injected into its scheduled Geostationary orbit (at an east longitude of 146 degrees) by six orbit controls and checked for the health of both the bus and sub systems and mission equipment, was moved from the initial phase to the regular operation phase as a result of a review for starting regular operations. From now on, experiments using each onboard instrument will be performed one at a time.

[Updated on May. 9, 2007 15:00(JST)]

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JAXA Broadcast

JAXA provided a live report of the launch of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8 (ETS-VIII)"/H-IIA F11) from a studio at Tanegashima with JAXA employees' comments.

Countdown Report

The live report of the launch on the launch day.

High-speed communications are possible from cars, ships and disaster-stricken areas

The Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No.8 (ETS-VIII)" will enable communications between two moving small terminals that are about the same size of a current mobile phone thanks to its onboard large deployable antennas which are among the largest in the world.

This function is expected to be very useful in our daily lives, for example in some mountainous areas and at sea where no ground stations are available, as well as for smooth operation of emergency vehicles and a quick rescue of disaster victims.

Outline of KIKU No. 8 (ETS-VIII)

One of the largest geostationary satellites in the world.
JAXA has been conducting the ETS series project with the aim of achieving satellite technology that can meet the needs of the future.
"KIKU No. 8," or the 8th ETS, will challenge technological standards in communications and positioning that can make our life more convenient and comfortable.

From KIKU No. 8 (ETS-VIII) Project Manager

Everybody still has a vivid memory of the huge earthquake that hit the Niigata-Chuetsu area in Japan. Although people's safety had to be confirmed and rescue operations had to be started as soon as possible, the exchange of information was hampered due to the breakdown of communication networks. When the images of the disaster-stricken area were finally transmitted to us on TV, I clearly remember that they made me feel strong regret. "If the KIKU No. 8 (ETS-VIII) had been developed earlier, rescue operations would have been smoother." It is my big challenge, or even my lifework, to provide an environment in which people can securely communicate with each other at all times in whatever situation.

Overview of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 11

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 11, whose payload is the "KIKU No. 8 (ETS-VIII)" is the "H2A204" type. This was the first time for the "H2A204" type to be launched.
Scenery of Tanegashima Space Center
Press Release List
January 9, 2007
Geostationary Orbit Injection of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8"
December 27, 2006
Completion of the Critical Phase of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8"
December 26, 2006
Deployment Result of the Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8"
December 26, 2006
Deployment Status of the Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8"
December 25, 2006
Drift Orbit Injection Result of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8" and Deployment Schedule of the Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors
December 18, 2006
Flight Status of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8"
December 18, 2006
Launch Result of the Engineering Test Satellite "KIKU No. 8" (ETS-VIII) / H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 11
December 16, 2006
Launch Postponement of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8" (ETS-VIII)/H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 11
October 25, 2006
Launch Day of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 11 (H-IIA F11)
October 16, 2006
Deployment Experiment Result of Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2) (Quick Report)
October 14, 2006
Launch Result of Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2)
October 11, 2006
Launch Delay of Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2)
September 22, 2006
Launch Date of Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2)
September 8, 2006
Launch Delay of Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2)
August 12, 2006
Launch Schedule of Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2)
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