OICETS
Encyclopedia
OICETS, the Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (other name Kirari) is an experimental satellite by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
to demonstrate interorbital communication between satellites through optical (laser) means. OICETS was originally slated for a launch on the second J-I
launcher. Unfortunately due to problems with this launcher, the launch had to be put on hold. Using the H-2A was out of question, since it would be overkill to use this model to send a 570 kg satellite into LEO. Also there was no budget for another H-2A launch. Finally, in order to be able to perform the tests during the lifetime of the European Artemis satellite
, OICETS was successfully launched on a Dnepr launcher.
Operation finished by September 24, 2009.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
to demonstrate interorbital communication between satellites through optical (laser) means. OICETS was originally slated for a launch on the second J-I
J-I
The J-I was a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency solid rocket expendable launch vehicle. It flew only once, in 1996, in a partial configuration, to launch the demonstrator Hyflex...
launcher. Unfortunately due to problems with this launcher, the launch had to be put on hold. Using the H-2A was out of question, since it would be overkill to use this model to send a 570 kg satellite into LEO. Also there was no budget for another H-2A launch. Finally, in order to be able to perform the tests during the lifetime of the European Artemis satellite
Artemis (satellite)
Artemis is a geostationary earth orbit satellite for telecommunications, built for and owned by ESA. The Artemis satellite operates at the 21.5E orbital position....
, OICETS was successfully launched on a Dnepr launcher.
Operation finished by September 24, 2009.
Achievements
- On December 9, 2005 Jaxa succeeded with establishing the optical links between OICETS (Kirari) and Artemis.
- During March 2006 a successful link between OICETS and a ground station in Japan was established. This is the first optical links connection between a fixed ground station and an LEOLow Earth orbitA low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
satellite. - On June 7, 2006 Jaxa established a communication between OICETS and a mobile ground station operated by the German DLRGerman Aerospace CenterThe German Aerospace Center is the national centre for aerospace, energy and transportation research of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has multiple locations throughout Germany. Its headquarters are located in Cologne. It is engaged in a wide range of research and development projects in...
.