Posted: Sat, Feb 23, 2008, 10:58 AM ET (1558 GMT)
An H-2A rocket successfully launched an experimental high-speed Internet communications satellite on Saturday. The H-2A 2024 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 3:55 am EST (0855 GMT, 5:55 pm local time) Saturday and placed the Kizuna spacecraft into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 28 minutes later. Kizuna, formerly known as the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS), carries a Ka-band payload designed to test technologies for high-speed Internet services. The satellite will be able to provide downloads at speeds of 155 Mbps to 1.2 Gbps, depending on the size of the receiving antenna on the ground. The 2.7-ton spacecraft will operate from GEO at 143 degrees east.

Related Links:

•  Reuters article
•  AFP article
•  CNN article
•  AP article
•  JAXA press release