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           National Space Development Agency of Japan
                        Press Release
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February 21, 2003
National Space Development Agency of Japan

       Successful Inter-satellite Communications Experiments 
          between DRTS (Kodama) and ADEOS-II (Midori-II)

The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) conducted for 
the first time the inter-satellite communications experiment between 
the Data Relay Test Satellite (DRTS), Kodama*1, and the Advanced Earth 
Observing Satellite II (ADEOS-II), Midori-II*2, and successfully 
transmitted the real-time imagery of earth surface taken by Midori-II 
in the sky where Japan cannot make a direct communication via Kodama 
in the geostationary orbit to the Earth Observation Center 
(Hatoyama-cho, Saitama Pref.).

This successful inter-satellite communications verify the data relay 
function for the first time using the world's most advanced inter-
satellite communications technology with Ka-band frequency*3.  We get 
into a full-fledged space network era using inter-satellite 
technology, following U.S. and Russia.

In addition to Midori-II, NASDA will conduct similar experiments via 
Kodama of transmitting*4 data from spacecraft circulating around mid-
low altitude orbit (300km to 1,000km) such as the planned Advanced 
Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) and KIBO*5 to the ground station, and 
try to accumulate more sophisiticated inter-satellite communications 
technology.

*1. Kodama was launched on September 10, 2002
*2. Midori-II was launched on December 14, 2002
*3. 20-30 GHz band (to use 26 GHz band in communicating with Kodama 
    and Midori II)
*4. Real-time communications are feasible in about 60% of all skies 
    over the Earth.
*5. Japanese Experiment Module to be attached to the International 
    Space Station 

This information is also available in the following Internet address:
http://www.nasda.go.jp/press/2003/02/kodama-midori2_20030221_e.html

Related links:
ADEOS-II Science Project
http://sharaku.eorc.nasda.go.jp/ADEOS2/index.html

                               END

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Date of Issue : February 25, 2003

Publisher : Public Relations Office
            National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)
            28F World Trade Center Bldg.,
            2-4-1 Hamamatsu-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8060
            Japan
            TEL:+81-3-3438-6111

NASDA Home Page :
http://www.nasda.go.jp/index_e.html

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