International Sat. n°: |
Japanese satellite n°: 122 |
OICETS= Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite
Also called: Kirari
Launch data:
| Designation | 28809 / 05031A |
| Launch date | 23 Aug 2005 - 21:10 UT |
| Launch site | B, LC-109/95 |
| Launch vehicle |
Dnepr-1 |
| Mission | Government: Technology Development |
| Sun-Synchronous LEO Earth orbit: |
| Perigee / Apogee | 609 x 610 km |
| Eccentricity | 7,16E-05 |
| Inclination | 97.8° |
| Period | 96.9 min |
|
|
Spacecraft data:
| Prime contractor | NEC Toshiba Space Systems, Ltd. (NTSpace) |
| Operator | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) |
| Platform | |
| Mass at launch | 570 (670?) kg |
| Dry Mass | kg |
| Basic shape | |
| Dimension | |
| Solar array | |
| Stabilization | |
| DC power | |
| Design lifetime | 1 yrs |
|
Decay:
| Out of service: | Feb 1, 2011 |
| Cause: | |
|
Description:
OICETS will enable optical inter-orbit communications tests between
satellites that are tens of thousands of kilometers apart. An optical
inter-orbit communications system will bring various advantages: more stable
communications with less interference; lighter, more compact communications
equipment; and higher data transmission rates. These tests are expected to lead
to new technologies that will support the development and utilization of space,
including global data reception from Earth Observation satellites and continuous
communication links with a manned space station.
After successfully reaching orbit, OICETS has been renamed Kirari.
Mission details:
For orbital testing of elementary technology, particularly light beam acquisition, tracking and
directional control for optical intersatellite communications, an important element of future space
technology.
Ref.: #14, #15, #207, #226 - update: 18.03.11