Press Release

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Small Demonstration Satellite-1 (SDS-1)
End of Critical Operation

January 27, 2009 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency would like to announce that the Small Demonstration Satellite-1 (SDS-1) was moved to the initial functional verification operation(*2) after completing its critical operation(*1) on January 27, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST). The SDS-1 was launched as a piggyback satellite with the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 15 at 12:54 p.m. on January 23, 2009 (JST).

The satellite is currently in good condition.

We are carrying out the initial functional verification for about one month.


(Note)

*1 Critical Operation:
the period from the launch phase until the establishment of the spin stabilization attitude including satellite separation from the launch vehicle, solar array paddle deployment, and establishment of communication links.
*2 Initial Functional Verification Operation:
the period to verify the functions of the satellite bus and experiment devices.