The Data Relay Test Satellite (DRTS) “Kodama”, that the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) launched from Tanegashima Space Center on 10 September 2002 has completed its initial function verification test and is now in its operational phase.
During the operation phase of about seven years, NASDA will try to build up more sophisticated inter-satellite communications technology using DRTS “Kodama” to relay data between the ground stations and spacecraft orbiting the low to mid altitude (about 300 to 1,000 km) such as the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II (ADEOS-II), which was launched on 14 December 2002 and the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) to be attached to the International Space Station.
Related links:
“KODAMA” Data Relay Test Satellite (DRTS);
http://www.nasda.go.jp/projects/sat/drts/index_e.html