25064 - KIKU 7

KIKU-7 is a Japanese spacecraft pair of 2,480 kg mass and was launched from Tanegashima by an H-2 rocket at 21:27 UT. It was to separate as KIKU-7 Chaser and KIKU-7 Target, but failed to do so. The pre-launch name of KIKU-7 was ETS-7. Initial orbital parameters were period 93 min, apogee 551 km, perigee 377 km, and inclination 34.9 deg.

Kiku 7 (ETS 7) was a dual spacecraft mission designed to test and develop robotic technologies to be used in future space activities (such as the International Space Station and in-orbit sateliite servicing).

Alternate Names

Chaser
ETS-7 Chaser
Engineering Test Satellite-7 Chaser
Hikoboshi

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1997-11-27
Launch Vehicle: H-2
Launch Site: Tanegashima, Japan
Mass: 2540.0 kg