Road map of small satellite in JAXA

Paper number

IAC-05-B5.6.B.01

Author

Mr. Matsuaki Kato, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Shinichiro Takayama, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Yosuke Nakamura, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (IAT/JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Keisuke Yoshihara, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Hidekazu Hashimoto, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Year

2005

Abstract

The research and development of small satellite in JAXA started in 1998. In 2002, the 50kg-class spin-stabilized satellite, MicroLabSat, was launched. It has operated on orbit successfully. Various technologies such as components development, assembly, test, and satellite operations have been acquired. 
The road map of small satellite in JAXA is as follows. In two years, developing the small satellite series on the basis of MicroLabSat technology, the maturity of bus technology, and the demonstration as experiment tools will be expected. After that, the spin-stabilized bus technology will be standardized by the success of this series. And furthermore, small and medium-sized companies dealing with the satellite development will be fostered. Consequently, the small satellite industry will be burgeoned in Japan.
On the other hands, a fundamental study had started in 2003, aiming at accomplishing the three-axis-stabilized bus technology focusing on practical mission such as the Earth observation. This study has been realized as MicroLabSat-II project. In this project, not only three-axis-stabilized bus technology but also various advanced technologies for small satellite will be demonstrated. At the present time, preliminary design phase has been finished.
In the future, a practical mission using small satellites, especially a small satellite constellation mission based on three-axis-stabilized bus technology, will be realized. The constellation of small satellites enable the periodic observation of  the certain point on the ground from the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and also decrease the total risk rather than that of a centralized system. That is why the constellation technology is defined as key of our program. At the present time, advanced technical studies, such as orbit determination using COTS GPS and propulsion system dedicating to a small satellite have been developed.
In this paper, our future plan is introduced for a small satellite in JAXA in order to realize the road map, and the feature of this plan is also introduced. The current status of each subsystem and component is explained, considering the practical mission.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B5.6.B.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B5.6.B.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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