Japanese Internet Satellite Enters Orbit

The satellite was built to help bring broadband internet services into undeserved households and businesses and will reach both local markets in Japan and international centers across the Asia-Pacific region.

"The purpose of Wideband Internetworking engineering and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS) is to develop and demonstrate technology to establish the world's most advanced information society," said Yasuo Nakamura, the mission's project manager.

The satellite craft, nicknamed Kizuna, was driven into space on top of an H-2A rocket which was launched from the Yoshinobu complex on Tanegashima Island at the southern end of the Japanese archipelago.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency officials said the launch was successful and clear signals were received from Kizuna, which will use its own propulsion module to gradually boost its orbit to an altitude of about 22,300 miles.

The satellite will be permanently parked above the equator at 143 degrees east longitude, or above the Pacific Ocean north of New Guinea.

The satellite will begin technology experiments in July this year involving extensive testing of its communication payloads to assess its ability to support several demonstrations at the same time and advanced experiments will be expected to kick off in October.