Japan and Satellite Communication Systems
By the end of 1994 Japan had deployed 19 GEO communications satellites from five series and was maintaining a constellation of 10 operational satellites at seven locations in the geostationary ring from 110 degrees E to 162 degrees E. Japan's extensive satellite-based communications program is 17 years old and has been promoted by both the national space agency NASDA and by the commercial sector. Since the program's inception, Japan has employed a mix of domestic and foreign spacecraft and launch services. Although Japan deployed another commercial communications satellite during 1993-1994, the long-awaited experimental ETS VI failed to reach GEO and was stranded in GTO.
