JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Results of 3rd Apogee Engine Firing of Kodama (DRTS)
and Future Operation Plans

National Space Development Agency of Japan

The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) conducted the third apogee engine firing of the Data Relay Test Satellite (DRTS) "Kodama" on September 13, 2002 at 10:26 (Japan Standard Time) by sending commands from the Tsukuba Space Center.
The telemetry data from Kodama indicated that the apogee engine (bipropellant) fired for 103 seconds.

As the result of this firing, Kodama was placed into the orbit with a perigee altitude of about 33,900 km. This means the completion of Kodama's orbit change using the apogee engine.

This orbit, however, is about 1,900 km lower than the planned altitude, so Kodama will be put into the drift orbit using the 20 N Thruster (monopropellant).

Currently, Kodama is working normally.

The 103 seconds duration of the apogee engine firing, which was shorter than expected, was due to the depletion of oxidizer.