MDS
Spacecraft · Japan
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Japanese technology satellite. MDS (Mission Demonstration Satellite) was a technology demonstrator to flight-qualify commercial subsystems.
MDS-1 flew a parallel computer, a solid state recorder, a nickel-hydrogen battery, and solar cells. It also carried a space environment experiment to monitor heavy ions and magnetic fields.
Subtopics
- MDS 1 (Tsubasa) Null
- MDS 2 Technology satellite operated by NASDA, Japan.
Related
- Family
- Technology, Technology satellite
- Country
- Japan
- Launch Vehicles
- H-II, H-IIA, H-IIA 2024
- Launch Sites
- Tanegashima, Tanegashima Y
Photo Gallery
MDS 2
Credit: Manufacturer Image
MDS-1
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Chronology
1 event
2002 February 4
02:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: Tanegashima Y. LV Family: H-2. Launch Vehicle: H-IIA 2024.- MDS-1 - .
Mass: 304 kg (670 lb). Nation: Japan.
Agency: NASDA.
Class: Technology.
Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: MDS.
USAF Sat Cat: 27367 . COSPAR: 2002-003A. Apogee: 35,753 km (22,215 mi). Perigee: 373 km (231 mi). Inclination: 28.30 deg. Period: 633.80 min.
Technology qualification flight - maiden flight of H-2A booster. Launch delayed from January 31 and February 3. The second stage began its first burn at 0251 UTC and at 0257 UTC entered a 500 km circular parking orbit. After a 12 minute coast the second burn put stage 2 in geostationary transfer orbit. At 0315 UTC the small DASH vehicle was meant to separate from the upper adapter, but this apparently did not occur. At 0325 UTC VEP-3/upper adapter/DASH combination separated from the second stage, followed by two semi-cylindrical side panels, revealing the previously enclosed MDS-1 technology satellite which was ejected at 0331 UTC. At 0425 UTC the second stage was scheduled to make a third burn to test engine restart, completing the H-2A-2F mission.