29656 - KIKU-8 (ETS-VIII)

Kiku 8, also known by its prelaunch name of ETS 8, is a Japanese geostationary, engineering test satellite that was launched by a H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center at 06:32 UT on 18 December 2006. The 5.8 tonne (with fuel) craft carries solar panels and a pair of large wire-mesh antennas, one for transmitting and the other for receiving. The two 28 m x 25 m antennas enables hand-held phones to communicate with each other in S-band, after parking over 146 degrees E longitude.

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2006-12-18
Launch Vehicle: H-2A
Launch Site: Tanegashima, Japan