NASDA has started the i-Space satellite application experiments as part of its research and development into the space infrastructure needed to deal with the materialization of a society with broadband Internet access.
This project is to develop technologies and conduct experiments for satellite missions in various fields such as the Internet, education, health, disaster control and the Intelligent Transport System (ITS), using the Engineering Test Satellite (ETS-VIII) and the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS) being developed, and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite, which is still being studied.
The Engineering Test Satellite (ETS-VIII) is a satellite that carries out technical tests on mobile communications satellites that use geostationary satellites capable of receiving sounds or data transmitted portably. It will be used for tests and providing evidence for the technical developments needed for communications, broadcasts and measurements in the early 21st century.
Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS) is a geostationary satellite that aims to provide at faster speeds the enormous amounts of information needed in an information technology-based society. It will be used not only in Japan, but in broad areas throughout the Asia-Pacific region. NASDA is now working together with the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL) on the research and development of the satellite, with a launch planned for 2005 FY.
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, a system that aims to clear obstacles for transmitting satellite communications in cities, is also now being studied in preparation for more specific research and development.
