Launch Result of the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite

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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Launch Result of
the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite
(OICETS)
and
Innovative Technology Demonstration Experiment Satellite (INDEX)

August 24, 2005 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)

The Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite
(OICETS) and the Innovative Technology Demonstration Experiment
Satellite (INDEX), were launched at 6:10 a.m. on August 24, 2005,
(Japan Standard Time, JST) by a Dnepr Launch Vehicle(*) from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Dnepr Launch Vehicle flew normally, and JAXA confirmed that the
OICETS and the INDEX were separated at 6:25:10 a.m. and 6:25:14 a.m.
(JST), and were injected into their scheduled orbits based on
information from the ISC Kosmotras.

JAXA�fs Kiruna Overseas Mobile Tracking Station started receiving
signals from the OICETS at 7:39 a.m. (JST), and through those signals,
deployment of the solar array paddles was confirmed.
JAXA is scheduled to receive a signal from the INDEX at 12:18 p.m.
(JST) at the UchinouraSpaceCenter.

The nickname of the OICETS is the "Kirari", and that of the INDEX
will be announced after its status is confirmed.

We would like to express our appreciation for cooperation and support
from all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to
this successful launch.


(*) The Dnepr Launch vehicle is a converted liquid-fuelled SS-18
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Management of the Dnepr program is
carried out by ISC Kosmotras (Russia and Ukraine.) All four launches
carried out by the Dnepr have been successful.


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Publisher : Public Affairs Department
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Marunouchi Kitaguchi Building,
1-6-5, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8260
Japan
TEL:+81-3-6266-6400


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info