Japan Launches (Big) Kizuna Satellite

KIZUNA (WINDS) was recently launched from the Tanegashima Space Center with the goal to establish the world’s most advanced information and telecommunications network. It will enable high-speed, large-volume data transmission, allowing ultra-fast domestic and international Internet-based communications with an expected network speed and capacity much higher than anything achieved previously, according to the JAXA announcement. The proposed system aims for a maximum speed of 155Mbps downlink and 6Mbps uplink for households with 45-centimetre dish, and ultra-high speed 1.2 Gbps connection for offices with five-meter antennas.

In addition to establishing a domestic high speed Internet network, the project also aims to construct international Internet access, especially targeted at Asian Pacific countries and regions that are more closely related to Japan. Here’s a more detailed interview with Yasuo Nakamura, Project Manager, and a couple of links to watch promo video clips.

The KIZUNA project is responsible for exploring of the validity and usefulness of technologies related to large-capacity data communications in the so-called “i-Space” infrastructure project, the purpose of which is to promote the use of satellites in such fields as Internet communications, education, medicine, disaster measures and Intelligent Transport Systems.

The project, currently under joint development by JAXA and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, is part of the e-Japan Priority Policy Program of the Japanese government’s IT strategy headquarters. This strategy is building on the agencies on-going efforts, with the Kiku No. 8 for example, to enable high-speed data connections from space.. the final frontier..!!

Posted: 26 February 2008 | Filed: Network Technology, New Tech & Services | Feedback | Print |