MISSION NAME
Ayame
Status
Failure
DATE
6 FEB 1979
LAUNCH PROVIDER
National Space Development Agency of Japan
Launch Pad
Osaki Launch Complex
Description
Japanese experimental communications satellite
N-I
Rocket Description
The N-I or N-1 was a derivative of the American Thor-Delta rocket, produced under licence in Japan. It used a Thor-ELT first stage, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-designed LE-3 engine was used as a second stage, and three Castor SRMs. Seven were launched between 1975 and 1982, before it was replaced by the N-II.