Ajisai

Japan

International Sat. n°:

Japanese satellite n°: 40

Means "hydrangea", also called EGP (Experimental Geodetic Payload) (EGS?)

Launch data:

Designation	16908 / 86061A
Launch date	12 Aug 1986 - 20:45 UT
Launch site	Tanegashima Space Center
Launch vehicle:	H-1 (#1)
Mission	Scientific: Earth observation, Geodesy
Perigee/Apogee	1479/1497 km
Inclination	50.01°
Period	115.7 min

1st Japanese multi-satellite launch (3 satellites)
Japanese satellite designed to provide an orbiting benchmark for geodynamical studies of the Earth. Laser retroflectors are mounted on the surface of the spherical satellite to return incident laser radiation to its point of origin.

Specifications:

Prime manufacturer	JAXA
Platform
Operator
Mass at launch	685 kg
Basic shape	Circular
Dimension (m)	dia: 215 cm
Equipment	1436 reflectors + 318 mirrors
Stabilization	passive
Propulsion
DC power
Design lifetime

It featured 1436 (120 sets) Corner-cube Reflectors and 318 Sunlight Reflection Mirrors

01 Jan 1986: EGS after attaching to the rocket in the service tower - Credit: JAXA

01 Jan 1986: EGS, MABES, JAS-1 after attaching to the rocket in the service tower - Credit: JAXA

Mission: accurate measurement of the satellite's position with respect to Earth; readjustment of domestic triangulation net for accurate map-making; establishment of ocean geodetic net to position outlying islands.

Ref.: #102, #231, #235 - update: 08.09.10

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