N-I from Tanegashima launched ECS-b (Ayame 2), a NASDA experimental geostationary communications satellite; the apogee kick motor malfunctioned, leaving it short of GEO—the second consecutive Ayame spacecraft failure ended the ECS program.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- Direct-GEO
- Geostationary orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 260 kg
- Flight
- 6th
- of 7 N-I flights
- Date and time
- 22 February 1980, 08:35 UTC
- Rocket
- N-I
- Builder
- MHI
- Launch site
- Osaki Launch Complex, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
- Payload
- Communications
- International designator
- 1980-018
- Launches in 1980
- 18th of 108
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
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