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H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8
H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8 launched on Mon, Dec 18, 2006, 06:32 AM UTC — a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency mission.
Launch SuccessfulJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Lifted offNET Dec 2006
NET Mon, Dec 18, 2006, 06:32 AM UTC
Mission profile
The flight at a glance
H-IIAVehicle
Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyProvider
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1Pad
Tanegashima Space Center, JapanLocation
CommunicationsMission type
Geostationary Transfer OrbitOrbit
Flight simulation
Ascent to orbit
A representative gravity-turn climb for H-IIA to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. Illustrative model — not this mission’s live telemetry.
Mission timeT+0:00
Altitude0.0 km
Velocity0.00 km/s
PhaseLiftoff
T+0:00 / 17:30
SimulatedRepresentative H-IIA ascent profile — illustrative model, not this mission’s live telemetry.
The mission
Kiku-8
ETS-VIII (Engineering Test Satellite) is to be launched in 2006, 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 (LDAR) 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. A subscale test of the LDARs was flown as the LDREX experiment.
Around this launch
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Good to know
Frequently asked
What time does H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8 launch?
H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8 is scheduled to lift off Mon, Dec 18, 2006, 06:32 AM UTC.
Where can I watch H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8?
A live webcast will appear on this page as soon as the provider publishes a stream link.
Who is launching H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8?
H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8 is an Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency mission flying on a H-IIA.
Where does H-IIA 204 | Kiku-8 launch from?
It lifts off from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.