N-I from Tanegashima LP-N launched ETS-2 (Kiku 2), NASDA’s engineering test satellite into geostationary orbit to prove Japanese GEO launch, tracking, and control methods, plus millimeter-wave propagation experiments—Japan’s first successful GEO satellite.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- Direct-GEO
- Geostationary orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 254 kg
- Flight
- 3rd
- of 7 N-I flights
- Date and time
- 23 February 1977, 08:50 UTC
- Rocket
- N-I
- Builder
- MHI
- Launch site
- Osaki Launch Complex, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
- Payload
- Astrophysics
- International designator
- 1977-014
- Launches in 1977
- 15th of 130
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
View satellites in Space Atlas