LDREX on ASAP-5 platform [NASDA]
LDREX deployed [NASDA]
The LDREX (Large-scale Deployable Reflector Experiment Model) is a small partial model antenna built to validate the design of the ETS-8's Large Deployable Antenna, and will conduct experiments to solve various technical problems that the ETS-8 is facing. Since the result of LDREX experiments will influence the design of ETS-8, an immediate launch of LDREX was desired, which led the project team to switch a launch vehicle from the domestic H-II rocket to an European Ariane-5G rocket. The Large Deployable Reflector Experiment (LDREX) was built by Toshiba for National Space Development Agency (NASDA). It was mounted, along with cameras and support equipment, on an ASAP-5 platform. After the deployment was complete, the antenna was to be ejected from the platform.
ETS-8 is designed to carry a large antenna for the purpose to develop technologies to build the world's largest geostationary satellite, which will be used for future mobile communications. Since deploying such a large antenna in orbit is very difficult and requires lots of new technologies, a series of experiments prior to the satellite's fabrication is necessary.
After launch, the deployment of the antenna failed, requiring a re-evaluation of the mechanism. A reflight of the LDREX 2 took place in 2006, again on an ASAP-5 platform on an Ariane-5ECA launch vehicle. It was successful.
Nation: | Japan |
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Type / Application: | Engineering Test |
Operator: | NASDA |
Contractors: | NEC Toshiba Space Systems |
Equipment: | |
Configuration: | Deployable reflector, camera and support equipment remained on ASAP platform |
Propulsion: | None |
Power: | Batteries |
Lifetime: | 20 minutes |
Mass: | 140 kg (reflector); 42 kg support equipment on ASAP platform |
Orbit: | 213 km × 35581 km, 1.90° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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LDREX | 2000-081C | 20.12.2000 | Ko ELA-3 | Ariane-5G | with GE 8, Astra 2D | |
LDREX 2 | 2006-043C | 13.10.2006 | Ko ELA-3 | Ariane-5ECA | with DirecTV 9S, Optus D1 |