Japan's Space Development Programs for Communications: An Overview

Japan now operates the communications satellite CS-2. A test communications satellite, CS-1, was launched in 1977, and CS-3 will be launched in 1988 as a successor to CS-2. On the other hand, in the area of mobile satellite communications development, Japan is proceeding with an experimental program; ETS-V/EMSS (Engineering Test Satellite-V/Experimental Mobile Satellite System), for which a satellite will be launched in 1987. A follow-on experimental ETS-VI program is planned and will be launched in 1992 as a 2000-kg weight class satellite. Japan has also begun an Experimental Platform Study as a step toward the Geostationary Communication Platform. This paper reviews and explains the scenario, activities, and objectives of satellite communications development in Japan.