Tokyo, Dec 18: Japan today launched one of the
world's largest geostationary satellites in a bid to improve
mobile telephone reception in remote areas.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the
H-2A rocket at 3:32 pm (12:02 IST) as planned after a
postponement Saturday due to cloudy weather at the launch
site at Tanegashima in southern Japan.
The experimental satellite, which is known as Kiku Number
8, is the largest built by Japan's space agency. It weighs 5.8
tons and is 40 meters (131 feet) long.
"The satellite successfully separated from the rocket
about 30 minutes after the launch of the rocket," space agency
spokesman Naohiko Kotake told a news conference at Tanegashima
station.
"From this point on, the satellite will continue its
flight toward a stationary orbit," he said with a beaming grin
as he shook hands with colleagues.
Kiku Number 8's antennas, among the longest ever
developed for a satellite, are its key attribute, an agency
statement said.
"This function is expected to be very useful in our daily
lives, for example in some mountainous areas and at sea where
no ground stations are available," the statement said.
The satellite is also aimed at helping communication
between emergency vehicles and rescue workers after natural
disasters.
"The satellite will start receiving and sending data on
December 25, Christmas day, and will get into normal operation
on December 26," Kotake said in the webcasted news conference.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, December 18, 2006, 00:00