2005-031A
NASDA's Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite was to be launched by a J-1 in 1998 to LEO. It will demonstrate laser satellite-to-satellite links and pointing and tracking technology. Launch was delayed since the pad was needed for other launches. Eventually J-1 was cancelled and the satellite was finally launched by a Russian Dnepr in 2005. OICETS was renamed Kirari ('glitter') after launch.
The 8194/8474A laser system will be used to communicate with Artemis. An S-band link will be used to DRTS and the ground.
Size is 0.8 x 1.1 x 2.5m, box + 2 panels 9.4m span. Mass 570 kg. Orbit will be 550 x 610 x 97. Control from Tsukuba.
OICETS carries out a high precision acquisition and tracking experiment with Artemis; the optical inter-orbit comms experiment using LUCE, with Artemis; and evaluation of the optical components and of the vibration environment.
In Dec 2005 it made the first 2-way lasercom signal exchange with Artemis.
The Dnepr final stage carried a capsule with commemorative objects for Turkmenistan.
|
| OICETS |
| |
|
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|
|
| 2005 Aug 23 | 2109:59 | Launch by Dnepr | KB LC109 |
| | | T+1:49 St 1 sep |
| | | T+1:52 St 2 MES |
| | | T+4:26? St 2 MECO |
| | | T+4:36? GO sep |
| | | T+4:41? St 2 VECO |
| | | T+4:41 St 2 sep | -1000 x 350 ? |
| | | T+4:44 St 3 burn |
| | | T+4:57 Low thrust regime? |
| | | St 2 impact Pacific 45E 32S? |
| | 2121? | T+11? St 3 MECO |
| | 2125:09 | T+15:10 St 3 fairing/plume sep |
| | 2125:13 | T+15:14 OICETS sep |
| | 2125:15 | T+15:16 adapter sep |
| | 2125:17 | T+15:18 Index sep |
| | | T+25:35 Solar arrays deploy |
| | 2126:03 | T+16:04 St 3 depletion |
| 2004 Nov 24 | | One reaction wheel failed |
| 2005 Dec 9 | | Two-way laser com with ARTEMIS |
| 2006 Apr 20 | | Reaction wheel reactivated |
| 2009 Sep 24 | | end of mission |
Payload:
- LUCE Laser-utilizing Comms Experiment
- MVE Micro Vibration Equipment - studies stability of laser comms
