December 9, 2020 (JST)

National Research & Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that an optical communication payload for Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS*) aboard an optical data relay satellite has been activated normally on December 9, 2020. The optical data relay satellite was launched by the H-IIA F-43 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center on November 29.
 Further operation status of LUCAS will be updated on the JAXA website.

JAXA website “Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS)”
http://www.satnavi.jaxa.jp/project/lucas/ (Japanese Only)

 *LUCAS is to relay data between satellites, consisting of the optical communication payload mounted on the optical data relay satellite, optical communication payloads mounted on follow-on satellites including Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 “DAICHI-3” (ALOS-3) and the optical ground system.