JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

	One of the world’s largest geostationary satellites will make mobile communications more convenient. Over the years, Japan has launched a series of Engineering Test Satellites - ETS-I (KIKU-1) to ETS-VII (KIKU-7, Orihime/Hikoboshi). Each of these addressed the technological needs of its time. ETS-VIII was launched by the H-IIA launch vehicle No.11, with the main purpose of dealing with the increasing demand for digital communications, such as mobile phones and other mobile devices. The satellite, with a gross weight of around three tons and a diameter of 40 meters, has two Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors and two Solar Array paddles. One LDAR, about the size of a tennis court, is one of the world’s largest geostationary satellites. Its size will enable direct communications with a geostationary satellite that covers all of Japan, making mobile communications more reliable. Currently under development are Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors with metal-mesh, high-power transponders and on-board processors. The technologies used in the development of these LDARs will be applicable to other large space structures.

One of the world’s largest geostationary satellites will make mobile communications more convenient.

Over the years, Japan has launched a series of Engineering Test Satellites - ETS-I (KIKU-1) to ETS-VII (KIKU-7, Orihime/Hikoboshi). Each of these addressed the technological needs of its time. ETS-VIII was launched by the H-IIA launch vehicle No.11, with the main purpose of dealing with the increasing demand for digital communications, such as mobile phones and other mobile devices. The satellite, with a gross weight of around three tons and a diameter of 40 meters, has two Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors and two Solar Array paddles. One LDAR, about the size of a tennis court, is one of the world’s largest geostationary satellites. Its size will enable direct communications with a geostationary satellite that covers all of Japan, making mobile communications more reliable. Currently under development are Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors with metal-mesh, high-power transponders and on-board processors. The technologies used in the development of these LDARs will be applicable to other large space structures.

KIKU No.8 will make our lives more comfortable.

The mission of ETS-VIII is not only to improve the environment for mobile-phone-based communications, but also to contribute to the development of technologies for a satellite-based multimedia broadcasting system for mobile devices. It will play an important role in the provision of services and information, such as the transmission of CD-quality audio and video; more reliable voice and data communications; global positioning of and broadcasting to moving objects such as cars; faster disaster relief, etc. Experiments in the fundamental technology for satellite-positioning, using a high-precision clock system, will be conducted between ETS-VIII and GPS, through the reception of signals transmitted from the clock.

Lauch date: December 18, 2006

Project Topics

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Jan. 11, 2017 Updated

Completion of KIKU No. 8 Operation

	At 3:25 p.m., (Japan Standard Time) January 10, 2017, JAXA terminated its Engineering Test Satellite-VIII KIKU No.8 (ETS-VIII) transmission, thus brought a closure to the satellite’s operation. KIKU No. 8 was built for demonstration and experiment, with the purpose of improvement of mobile communications system. When Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 broke out, the satellite did the much needed service of providing the internet access for the afflicted region. Launched on December 18, ... More to read

At 3:25 p.m., (Japan Standard Time) January 10, 2017, JAXA terminated its Engineering Test Satellite-VIII KIKU No.8 (ETS-VIII) transmission, thus brought a closure to the satellite’s operation. KIKU No. 8 was built for demonstration and experiment, with the purpose of improvement of mobile communications system. When Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 broke out, the satellite did the much needed service of providing the internet access for the afflicted region. Launched on December 18, ...

More to read

Press Release

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March 24, 2011 (17:00)

Satellite Communications Using the KIKU No. 8 to Support Disaster Measures following the Tohoku Region Pacific Ocean Coastal Earthquake
February 2, 2007 (15:00)

Anomaly in the Communication Mission Equipment of the Engineering Test Satellite (ETS-VIII, or KIKU No. 8)

Characteristics of Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No.8" (ETS-VIII)

Major Characteristics

International Designation Code	2006-059A
Launch Date	15:32, December 18, 2006 (JST)
Launch Vehicle	H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.11
Location	Tanegashima Space Center
Shape	Main body is about 2.4m x 2.5m x 3.8m (With two large deployable antennas of 19m x 17m)
Weight	Mass at liftoff: Approx. 5,800kg
Orbiter	Geostationary orbit(GEO) (Longitude 146deg E (tentative))
Altitude	Approx. 36,000km
Inclination	0 degrees
Period	Approx. 24 hours
Attitude Control	Three-axis stabilization