A

David

Darling

ECS (Experimental Communications Satellite)

ECS

ECS (Experimental Communications Satellite) is the name of two Japanese satellites, also known by the national name of Ayama ("expansion") launched by NASDA (National Space Development Agency) to carry out millimeter-wave communications experiments. However, both failed – ECS because the third stage of the N-1 launch vehicle came in contact with the satellite after separation, and ECS-B because of a fault with the apogee kick motor.

 

launch date Feb 6, 1979 (ECS); Feb 22, 1980 (ECS-B)
launch vehicle N-1
launch site Tanegashima
size 1.4-m diameter cylinder
mass 130 kg