Flight Status of the Engineering Test Satellite VIII
"KIKU No. 8"
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) received signals from the Engineering Test Satellite No. 8 "KIKU No. 8" at the Santiago Station in Chile and the Maspalomas Station in the Canary Islands (the Kingdom of Spain). Through the received signals and images, we have confirmed that solar array paddles have been deployed and sun acquisition was successfully performed. The "KIKU No. 8" was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 3:32 p.m. on December 18, 2006, Japan Standard Time (JST.)
The satellite is now in good condition, and operations are progressing smoothly.
Images of the solar array paddle deployment are attached below.
Next Update:
Our next "KIKU No. 8" update is scheduled to be released at around 4:00 a.m. on Dec. 19 (JST) and will reveal the orbit determination results and first apogee engine firing schedule in the following Countdown website:
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f11/index_e.html
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| <Image of the north side paddle> | <Image of the south side paddle> |
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The successful deployment was confirmed by image data and telemetry data including power generation information.
(*1) Deployed four solar array panels
(*2) Deployed booms
(*3) Correction from JAXA: The shiny spherical body on the image of the south side paddle was the Earth, not the Moon. We mistakenly showed it as the Moon in the press release issued at 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2006. We would like to extend our sincere apology for our mistake.
For inquiries:
JAXA Public Affairs Department
Tel: +81-3-6266-6413 to 7, Fax: +81-3-6266-6910
Tsukuba Space Center General Administration Office
Tel: +029-868-4277,4279,4280
Fax: +029-868-5966