• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.134-142
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• 2004

This is a survey report of Japan's geo-stationary satellite development. Owing to Japanese government's ambitious space development efforts since 1950's, Japan became the fourth country that launched successfully its own satellite by using its own launch vehicle with the launch of Japan's first satellite, Ohsumi, in 1970. Since then Japan is maintaining a world leader's position in space development with continuous technology accumulation. Japan is injected 97 satellites into orbit(third in the world) by the end of 2003 including 18 science satellite series, 7 technology experiment satellite series, 5 meteorological satellites, and numerous telecommunication and broadcasting satellites, etc. With successful delivery of Optus C1 satellite to Sing Tel Optus Pty., Ltd. in Australia in June 2003 by MELCO, Japan is capable of competing in the international geo-stationary satellite market.