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KIKU-3 (ETS-IV) (12295)
COSPAR: 1981-012A | Alt Name: Kiku-3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 11, 1981
Launch Site
TANSC
Launch Pad
N
Launch Vehicle
N-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12295
International Designator
1981-012A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:31:39 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
28.44°
Right Ascension
279.01°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
148.05°
Period
235.52 min
Mean Motion
6.11 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
KIKU-3 (ETS-IV)
Alternative Name
Kiku-3
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NASDA
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12295U 81012A 26184.93865397 .00012674 00000-0 15711-2 0 9999
2 12295 28.4371 279.0109 4718234 148.0481 252.2064 6.11414051642218
Source: Celestrak
Summary
KIKU-3 (ETS-IV), also known as ETS-4, is a Japanese technology satellite with the NORAD catalog ID 12295 and object ID 1981-012A. Launched on February 11, 1981, from Tanegashima Space Center (TANSC) using an N-2 launch vehicle, it was manufactured by MELCO for NASDA with the primary mission to advance satellite technology. The spacecraft has dimensions of 2.8 meters in length and diameter, a span of 2.8 meters, and a dry mass of 650 kilograms, which is also its launch mass. Its shape consists of a cylinder plus antennas and it uses solar cells and batteries for power. KIKU-3's radar cross-section (RCS) is measured at 1.8459 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.8
Diameter
2.1
Span
2.8
Dry Mass
650
Launch Mass
650
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.8459
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ETS-4
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
MELCO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
ETS-4
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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