ISC Kosmotras launched Japan’s Optical Inter-orbit Communication Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS) Aug. 24. The satellite, which will test inter-orbit communications between satellites, was placed into low earth orbit via a Dnepr launch vehicle. The converted liquid-fueled SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and also carried a small satellite into orbit. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which operates the satellite, said the communications system on OICETS will be tested with the European Space Agency‘s Artemis satellite.