TIM FURNISS / LONDON
Tokyo bids to establish its space credentials after failure of two boosters in 1999
The first flight of Japan's HIIA satellite launch vehicle will take place from Tanegashima on 25 August. A further two flights of the National Space Development Agency's (NASDA) launcher are planned later this year as part of Japan's efforts to boost its space credentials after the failure of two HII boosters in 1999.
The HIIA is the first of a vehicle family redesigned after the failures. Four planned HIIA models will produce a 4,100kg to 7,500kg (9,000lb to 16,500lb) lifting capability to geostationary transfer orbit. The first vehicle, the HIIA-202, has uprated first and second stages, improved LE7A and LE5A cryogenic liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines, and two new solid rocket boosters with a 10% increase in thrust.
Later models will incorporate two or four additional smaller solid sub-boosters and an extra LE7A-powered liquid piggyback stage. A further upgrade is planned, using two liquid piggyback stages.
The first HIIA launch will be a basic test to show orbital capability and will carry a Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP 2) and a Laser Ranging Equipment (LRE) payload.
The 3,000kg VEP 2, attached to the upper stage, will measure the performance of the vehicle "particularly the vibration and temperature conditions", says NASDA. The LRE is a 500mm (20in) diameter, ball-shaped craft with 126 corner reflectors and 24 curved mirrors. After separation from the second stage, the LRE will "be illuminated by ground-based laser beams and the reflected light measured to accurately determine the parameters of the injected orbit".
Three further HIIA missions have been set pending a successful maiden flight, says NASDA. The second flight will carry an experiment payload mimicking a communications satellite to demonstrate new satellite components, including semiconductors, solar cells and batteries.
The first operational payload will be the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite, which will be used to measure water vapour, precipitation, chlorophyll distribution and seawater temperature.
The fourth mission, in 2002, will carry the Data Relay Test Satellite - the first of a network of geostationary orbit satellites, located in a "western" orbital location, to relay data between low Earth orbit satellites and the ground.
Source: Flight International
