OICETS

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}

{{Infobox spaceflight |auto=all

| name = Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite

| names_list = OICETS, Kirari

| image = File:JAXA Kiriani test satelite.jpg

| image_caption =

| image_size =150px

| mission_type = Technology demonstration

| operator = JAXA

| COSPAR_ID = 2005-031A

| SATCAT = 28809

| website = {{URL|http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/oicets/index.html}}

| mission_duration = Planned: 1 year
Final: {{time interval|23 August 2005 21:10|24 September 2009 14:48|show=ymd|sep=,}}

| manufacturer = Toshiba

| launch_mass = {{convert|570|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| dry_mass =

| dimensions = {{convert|0.78|xx|1.1|xx|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| power =

| launch_date = {{start-date|23 August 2005, 21:10}} UTC{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2005-031A |title=OICETS - Trajectory Details |work=National Space Science Data Center |publisher=NASA |access-date=7 January 2017}}

| launch_rocket = Dnepr{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.astronautix.com/k/kirari.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221095254/http://www.astronautix.com/k/kirari.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2016 |title=Kirari |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |access-date=7 January 2017}}

| launch_site = Baikonur Pad 109/95

| launch_contractor = ISC Kosmotras

| entered_service =

| disposal_type = Decommissioned

| deactivated = {{end-date|24 September 2009, 05:48}} UTC{{cite web |url=http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/oicets/topics.html |title=Kirari: Signals stopped; successful operation ends |publisher=JAXA |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=7 January 2017}}

| decay_date =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Low Earth

| orbit_semimajor =

| orbit_eccentricity = 0.00107

| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|597|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|612|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| orbit_inclination = 97.8°

| orbit_period = 96.8 minutes

| orbit_epoch = 23 August 2005, 17:10:00 UTC

| apsis = gee

| instruments_list = {{Infobox spaceflight/Instruments

| acronym1 = LUCE | name1 = Laser-Utilizing Communications Equipment

| acronym2 = MVE | name2 = Micro Vibration Equipment

}}

}}

The Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS), also called Kirari, was an experimental satellite launched by JAXA to demonstrate interorbital communication between satellites through optical (laser) means. OICETS was originally slated for a launch on the second J-I launcher. Due to problems with that launcher, the launch had to be put on hold. Using the H-IIA was out of question: it would have been overkill to use the H-IIA to send a {{convert|570|kg|lb}} satellite into low Earth orbit, and there was no budget for another H-IIA launch. Finally, in order to be able to perform the tests during the lifetime of the European Artemis satellite (since 2014, sold to Avanti Communications to exploit its Ka, S, and L-band payloads), OICETS was successfully launched on a Russian-Ukrainian Dnepr rocket.

The satellite was decommissioned and its mission terminated on 24 September 2009 at 05:48 UTC.