JAXA has performed the apogee engine firing four times for the Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No. 8" to ultimately inject itself into the drift orbit since its injection into the first transfer orbit on Dec. 18, 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST) till Dec. 24.
As a result of the orbit determination after the fourth apogee engine firing, we have confirmed that the "KIKU No. 8" was injected into the scheduled drift orbit.
Determination result Scheduled value
Apogee Altitude 35,971 Km 35,975 Km
Perigee Altitude 35,752 Km 35,784 Km
Inclination 0.17 degrees 0.17 degrees
Period 23 hours 59 minutes 24 hours 00 minute
Drift rate 0.97 degrees per day 1.22 degrees per day
(to the West) (to the West)
The satellite is in good condition.
JAXA will deploy the two large deployable antennas around 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 25, 2006 (JST.) It is expected to take about seven hours. We plan to issue the deployment result of the large deployable antennas at around 3:00 a.m. on Dec. 26.
(Note) Drift rate: velocity of the satellite moving toward the longitudedirection from the Earth.
Large Deployable Antenna Reflector: 19 m x 17 m high accuracy mirror surfaced mesh antenna for S-band.
Transfer orbit: a temporary orbit where a satellite is injected into by a launch vehicle before it moves into its target Geostationary orbit.
Drift orbit: a circular orbit at the altitude of about 36,000 km that is the last step before a satellite is injected into its target Geostationary orbit.
Attachment: Flight Plan of the "KIKU No. 8" http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2006/12/20061225_kiku8_e.html#at01
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