Tokyo Tech Second Nano-Satellite Cute-1.7 + APD and its Flight Operation Results

Paper number

IAC-06-B5.3.02

Author

Mr. Kuniyuki Omagari, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Kazuya Konoue, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Naoki Miyashita, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Masafumi Iai, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. hideyuki yabe, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Katsutoshi Imai, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Kei Miyamoto, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Shinji Masumoto, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Thomas Iljic, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Ken Fujiwara, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Takeshi Usuda, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mrs. Yasumi Konda, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Ms. Saori Sugita, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Tomio Yamanaka, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Saburo Matunaga, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Year

2006

Abstract

"Cute-1.7 + APD," a nano-satellite developed and built by Laboratory for Space System, Tokyo Institute of Technology, was successfully launched as one of the subpayloads of the JAXA M-V-8 rocket "Astro-F (Akari)" at 6:28 a.m., February 22, 2006 JST, went into orbit, and then separated from the rocket. The separation mechanism was also developed by the group. "Cute-1.7 + APD" is the group's second nano-satellite launched into space. The launch of their first satellite "CUTE-I", which was also successful, took place in June 2003.
One of features of this high-density, high-performance satellite (10 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm) is to carry PDA, which stands for Personal Digital Assistants as main processors of the satellite. The objective of using PDA is to develop a new design method to install COTS devices directly in order to decrease development terms and costs. Devices in the satellite are connected by USB to simplify the signal lines. Another feature is to carry the Avalanche Photo Diode sensor module (APD). This APD module measures low energy particle distribution in orbit.
Cute-1.7 + APD has also engineering missions; attitude determination and control mission using magnet torquer, tether deployment mission, and amateur radio mission.
While over 60 research groups of universities and space agencies in the world carry out research and development of very small satellites, many of them have not realized the launch. The groups that have been successful in operation on orbit are even less; the Tokyo Tech group with CUTE-I and Cute-1.7 + APD, the University of Tokyo group with XI-IV and V, and the joint group of Stanford University and a US venture company with QuakeSat. Tokyo Tech, operating two satellites of different systems, has achieved a milestone in development of space technology. By the reason why the group’s pioneering work will certainly inspire others to follow them in constructing and launching this very innovative type of spacecraft, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation AMSAT issued the two amateur satellites developed by the group with the designation of CUBESAT-OSCAR numbers.

Abstract document

IAC-06-B5.3.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-B5.3.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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