NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2005-031A
OICETS (Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite) is a Japanese (JAXA) technology demonstration satellite that was launched by a Dnepr booster from Baikonur at 21:10 UT on 23 August 2005. The 600 kg satellite carries an optical communications instrument called LUCE (Laser-Utilizing Communications Equipment) which has a 10-inch telescope that acts as a transmitter and receiver to communicate with the European (ESA) satellite, Artemis. OICETS will study the effect of the irreducible vibrations in a satellite in maintaining a pointing accuracy of one millidegree that is required to communicate with another satellite 32,000 km away.
Launch Date: 2005-08-23
Launch Vehicle: Dnepr
Launch Site: Tyuratam (Baikonur Cosmodrome), Kazakhstan
Mass: 600 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office