Successful UNITEC-1 launch and separation!

The launch of H-IIA F17 carrying AKATSUKI, IKAROS, UNITEC-1 and three cubesats was successful! So was the separation of UNITEC-1 which was confirmed at 22:48 UTC (Epoch time 22:46:20 UTC).

We meet tomorrow afternoon at OZ7SAT for the first communication window predicted to begin around 17:21 UTC. At that time UNITEC-1 will already be at lunar distance! Until then, good luck to the Japanese ground stations with acquiring the first signals.

H-IIA F17 liftoff