Experimental Communications Satellite (ECS). Communications and propagation experiments of satellite-communication systems. Operation and control experiment for geostationary satellites. Mass at launch 260 kg. Configuration - cylindrical. Height 1.9 m including antenna. Diameter 1.4 m. Spin stabilized.

Typical orbit: 31023 km x 37132 km at 3 degrees inclination. Mass: 260 kg (570 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: N.

• 1979 February 6 - Ayame 1 - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Vehicle: Delta. FAILURE: Third stage collided with ECS a. Mass: 260 kg (570 lb). Perigee: 29,407 km (18,272 mi). Apogee: 37,278 km (23,163 mi). Inclination: 5.60 deg. Period: 1,313.10 min.

  Experimental Communications Satellite. Experimental Communications Satellite (ECS). Launch time 0846 GMT. ECS was injected into the planned transfer orbit. On 9 Feb, however, ECS ceased radio transmissions about 10 seconds after the apogee kick motor was fired. Communicat ions and propagation experiments of satellite-communication systems. Operation and control experiment for geostationary satellites. Mass at launch 260 kg. Configuration - cylindrical. Height 1.9m including antenna. Diameter 1.4m. Spin stabilized. Last known longitude (13 June 1995) 146.23 deg W drifting at 33.817 deg E per day.

• 1980 February 22 - Ayame 2 - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 260 kg (570 lb). Perigee: 32,785 km (20,371 mi). Apogee: 36,839 km (22,890 mi). Inclination: 1.40 deg. Period: 1,386.60 min.

  Last known longitude (17 November 1988) 146.47 deg W drifting at 12.888 deg E per day.