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ECS a, b (Ayame 1, 2)

ECS a [NASDA]

During 1979-1980 Japan launched two ECS (Experimental Communications satellite) satellites - renamed Ayame in orbit - on N-1 boosters from Tanegashima.

The ECS featured a single transponder with selectable bandwidth of 10, 40, or 120 MHz, input and output independently switchable to either C-band or K-band.

Both satellites were lost shortly after launch during the firing of their apogee kick motors. These small, 130 kg, spin stabilized satellites were not replaced and the Japanese ECS program was terminated.

Nation: Japan
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: NASDA
Contractors: Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO)
Equipment: switchable C/K-band transponder
Configuration:
Propulsion: SVM-2
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 130 kg
Orbit: GEO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ECS a (JECS a, Ayame 1) 1979-009A 06.02.1979 Ta LP-N P N-1
ECS b (JECS b, Ayame 2) 1980-018A 22.02.1980 Ta LP-N N-1

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