MISSION NAME

USERS & DRTS

Status

Success

DATE

10 SEP 2002

LAUNCH PROVIDER

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Launch Pad

Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1

Description

USERS (Unmanned Space Experiment Recovery System) was a Japanese microgravity experimental satellite. After 8.5 months in orbit, a reentry vehicle was to be returned to earth with the materials manufacturered in space. DRTS (Data Relay & Tracking Satellite) is an inter-satellite communications experiment satellite to relay data between the target spacecraft (low earth orbit satellites, space stations, etc.) and ground stations.

H-IIA 2024

Rocket Description

The H-IIA rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The liquid fuelled rocket has been used to launch satellites, lunar spacecraft and planetary science craft.