# Data Relay Transponder Satellite

> Japanese data relay satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6141958](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6141958)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/data-relay-transponder-satellite

## Summary
The Data Relay Transponder Satellite (DRTS), also known as Kodama, is a Japanese communications satellite operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Launched in 2002, it relays data between satellites or spacecraft and ground stations, enabling real-time communication. Positioned in geostationary orbit, it supports scientific and observational missions.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 10, 2002, at 08:20 UTC.
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- **Country of Origin**: Japan.
- **Mass**: 2,800 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Dimensions**: 2.4 meters (width), 2.2 meters (height and length).
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA rocket (H-IIA-3F configuration).
- **COSPAR ID**: 2002-042B.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array with 2,100 watts capacity.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Data Relay Transponder Satellite launched?
A: The DRTS was launched on September 10, 2002, at 08:20 UTC from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex in Japan.

### Q: What is the primary function of the DRTS?
A: The DRTS serves as a data relay satellite, transmitting critical data from satellites or spacecraft to ground stations in real time.

### Q: How is the DRTS powered?
A: It is equipped with a spacecraft solar array capable of generating 2,100 watts of power.

## Why It Matters
The Data Relay Transponder Satellite plays a vital role in Japan’s space infrastructure by ensuring continuous communication between space-based assets and Earth. By operating in geostationary orbit, it provides uninterrupted coverage, which is essential for real-time data transmission from satellites in lower orbits, such as Earth observation missions. This capability enhances the efficiency of scientific research, disaster monitoring, and telecommunications. As Japan’s first data relay satellite, the DRTS demonstrated advanced satellite technology and supported international collaboration in space exploration.

## Notable For
- **First Japanese Data Relay Satellite**: Pioneered Japan’s capability to relay data from space missions.
- **Geostationary Positioning**: Maintains a fixed orbital position to enable constant communication.
- **Solar Power Efficiency**: Utilizes a 2,100-watt solar array for sustained operations.
- **H-IIA Launch Vehicle**: Deployed using Japan’s domestically developed H-IIA rocket.

## Body

### Launch Details
- **Date and Time**: Launched on September 10, 2002, at 08:20 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.
- **Rocket**: H-IIA-3F, a medium-lift launch vehicle developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 2,800 kg at launch.
- **Dimensions**: 2.4 m (width) × 2.2 m (height) × 2.2 m (length).
- **Power**: Equipped with a single solar array generating 2,100 watts.

### Mission and Operations
- **Role**: Functions as both a communications satellite and a geostationary satellite.
- **Orbit**: Operates in geostationary orbit, maintaining a fixed position relative to Earth.
- **Purpose**: Relays data from satellites, spacecraft, or remote sensors to ground stations, ensuring real-time communication for missions like Earth observation.

### Legacy
- **Operational Longevity**: Designed for extended service, contributing to Japan’s space communication network.
- **Naming**: Known as "Kodama," a reference to the Japanese folklore spirit of the forest, symbolizing its role as a silent, reliable communicator in space.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report