Japan's furious military build-up to counter Chinese hegemonism continues with the launch of Japan's first dedicated military communications satellite that will immensely boost the broadband capacity of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) in the event of a war against China.

Like Us on Facebook

The X-band satellite named "Kirameki-2," also known as DSN-2, was the payload of an H-IIA rocket that blasted-off from Japan's Tanageshima Space Port in southern Japan on Jan. 24.

Kirameki-2 is one of three planned X-band satellites that will quadruple JSDF's broadband capacity; unify an overburdened military communications network and allow reliable communications across wider swathes of territory.

The Kirameki military constellation will replace three civilian satellites currently used by JSDF. Kirameki-2 will be placed into a geostationary orbit over the Indian Ocean.

From this orbit, the satellite will permit enhanced direct communication among units of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force; the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Kirameki-2 will also be used by JSDF personnel currently taking part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.

Kirameki-2 will be operated by DSN Corporation, a subsidiary of SKY Perfect JSAT Group, and is designed for at least 15 years of service.

The first Kirameki satellite -- Kirameki-1 -- was to have been launched in July 2016 from the European Space Agency's spaceport in French Guiana but was badly damaged while being transported from Japan.

Kirameki-1 is currently being repaired, and its launch is now scheduled for March 2018 at the earliest. Kirameki-3 is expected to be launched in 2020. Kirameki-3 will be placed in a GEO orbit over Japan.

Kirameki-1 and Kirameki-2 were built at a cost of $1.1 billion apiece.

DSN Corporation is a joint venture among JSAT, NEC, NTT Com and Maeda Corporation. The contract to build the Kirameki satellites is a private finance initiative, where private funds, management and technical capabilities are used to upgrade and operate the JSDF's X band satellite network.

TagsKirameki-2, DSN-2, military communications satellite, Japan Self-Defense Force, Tanageshima Space Port, DSN Corporation