# Reimei

> Japanese satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11281566](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11281566)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reimei)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/reimei

## Summary
Reimei is a Japanese artificial satellite launched on August 23, 2005, to serve as a technology demonstration platform. Also known by the acronym INDEX (Innovative-technology Demonstration Experiment), it was placed into orbit to test and validate new space-based systems.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Reimei
- **Alternative Name:** INDEX (Innovative-technology Demonstration Experiment)
- **Classification:** Artificial satellite
- **Launch Date:** August 23, 2005
- **Launch Vehicle:** Dnepr (a converted Satan ICBM)
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109
- **COSPAR ID:** 2005-031B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 28810
- **Origin Country:** Japan

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Reimei satellite?
A: Reimei, also known as INDEX, was designed as an Innovative-technology Demonstration Experiment. Its primary purpose is to function as an artificial satellite that tests and demonstrates new technologies within a space environment.

### Q: How was Reimei launched into space?
A: Reimei was launched on August 23, 2005, from Site 109 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It reached orbit using a Dnepr launch vehicle, which is a class of rocket repurposed from converted Satan ICBMs.

### Q: What are the technical identifiers for Reimei?
A: The satellite is tracked internationally under the COSPAR ID 2005-031B. It is also registered in the Satellite Catalog with the SCN value 28810.

## Why It Matters
Reimei represents a significant Japanese contribution to the field of orbital technology testing. As an "Innovative-technology Demonstration Experiment" (INDEX), the satellite provides a dedicated platform for verifying new systems in the vacuum of space, which is a critical step before such technologies are integrated into larger, more expensive missions. 

The mission is also notable for its use of the Dnepr launch vehicle. By utilizing a rocket converted from a Satan ICBM, the Reimei mission highlights a period in aerospace history where former military ballistic missile technology was successfully repurposed for peaceful scientific and civilian applications. Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109, Reimei’s deployment demonstrates international cooperation in space exploration, involving Japanese technology and a launch infrastructure located in Kazakhstan. Its presence in global databases, documented in languages such as English, Japanese, and Galician, underscores its role in the international community's efforts to catalog and track human-made objects in orbit. Ultimately, Reimei serves as a bridge between experimental research and practical satellite application.

## Notable For
- **Dual Designation:** Recognized both by its Japanese name, Reimei, and its descriptive acronym, INDEX.
- **ICBM Heritage:** Launched using a Dnepr rocket, which is a converted Satan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
- **Technology Demonstration:** Specifically designed as an experimental platform for innovative space technologies.
- **International Tracking:** Identified globally by COSPAR ID 2005-031B and SCN 28810.

## Body

### Mission and Designation
Reimei is a Japanese artificial satellite categorized as a human-made object in orbit. The project is frequently referred to by the alias INDEX, which stands for Innovative-technology Demonstration Experiment. This name reflects its core mission of testing experimental systems in space.

### Launch History
The satellite was successfully launched on August 23, 2005. The launch took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 109. The significant event of the rocket launch is a primary marker in the satellite's operational history.

### Launch Vehicle Specifications
Reimei was carried into orbit by a Dnepr launch vehicle. The Dnepr is a specific class of satellite launch vehicle created from converted Satan ICBMs. This conversion process allows for the reuse of powerful ballistic missile technology for the deployment of artificial satellites into Earth's orbit.

### Technical Identification and Documentation
The satellite is cataloged under several international identification systems:
- **COSPAR ID:** 2005-031B
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 28810
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Information regarding the satellite is maintained in English, Japanese, and Galician.
- **Knowledge Graph Reference:** It is identified in the Google Knowledge Graph by the ID /g/121y02km.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report