Japan launches experimental communications satellite
Posted: Mon, Dec 18, 2006, 6:50 AM ET (1150 GMT)
An H-2A rocket launched a large Japanese experimental communications satellite on Monday. The H-2A lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 1:32 am EST Monday (0632 GMT, 3:32 pm JST) and released the Experimental Test Satellite (ETS) 8 spacecraft into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 27 minutes later. The first signals from the spacecraft were received by a ground station in Chile about one hour after launch. The spacecraft, also known as Kiku 8, will test a pair of large deployable reflectors that will provide high-powered communications services, including directly to handsets and other mobile devices. The launch had been planned for Saturday but was postponed two days by poor weather.
An H-2A rocket launched a large Japanese experimental communications satellite on Monday. The H-2A lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 1:32 am EST Monday (0632 GMT, 3:32 pm JST) and released the Experimental Test Satellite (ETS) 8 spacecraft into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 27 minutes later. The first signals from the spacecraft were received by a ground station in Chile about one hour after launch. The spacecraft, also known as Kiku 8, will test a pair of large deployable reflectors that will provide high-powered communications services, including directly to handsets and other mobile devices. The launch had been planned for Saturday but was postponed two days by poor weather.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, February 12
Philip Plait on the Wonders of the Universe
The Browser — 7:00 pm ET (0000 GMT) Young girl's curiosity of science leads to becoming first African-American woman in space
US Air Force — 6:58 pm ET (2358 GMT) Cleveland-built testing equipment ready for space
AP — 6:57 pm ET (2357 GMT) Out of this world! Video shows spectacular view of moon and Northern Lights from space
The Daily Mail — 6:56 pm ET (2356 GMT) Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
ESA — 10:27 am ET (1527 GMT) |