Epsilon Launches 9 Japanese Technology Demonstration Satellites

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched nine technology demonstration satellites on Tuesday, Nov. 9, aboard an Epsilon booster from the Uchinoura Space Center.

The payloads include a small satellite named RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-2 (RAISE-2), four microsatellites and four CubeSats that will demonstrate 14 technologies. The flight was done under JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

Primary Payload

RAISE-2
Mass: 110 kg (240 lb)
Dimensions: 1×1×0.75 m (3 ft 3 in × 3 ft 3 in × 2 ft 6 in)

RAISE-2 carried six payloads that will be tested during a yearlong mission.

SPR: compact, low-power consumption “SPRESENSE” microcomputer processor.
Developer: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation

I-FOG: closed-loop fiber optic gyroscope.
Developer: Tamagawa Seiki Company

ASC: compact, low-power consumption star tracker.
Developer: Amanogi Co., Ltd.

3D-ANT: low-cost, 3D printed antenna for receiving telemetry commands.
Developer: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

ATCD: lightweight, high-performance thermal control device.
Developer: Tohoku University

MARIN: advanced inertial measurement unit.
Developer: JAXA

Microsatellites

HIBARI
Function: demonstration of attitude control using variable shape function.
Developer: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Mass: 55 kg (121.3 lb)
Dimensions: 59 x 59 x 55 cm (23.2 x 23.2 x 21.7 in)

Z-Sat
Function: demonstration of innovative infrared image processing technology in multiple wavelength bands.
Developer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mass: 46 kg (101.4 lb)
Dimensions: 50 x 50 x 51 cm (19.7 x 19.7 x 20.1 in)

DRUMS
Function: demonstration of debris approach and capture technology.
Developer: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mass: 62 kg (136.7 lb)
Dimensions: 59 x 60 x 84 cm (23.2 x 23.6 x 33.1 in)

Teikyo Sat-4
Function: demonstration of microgravity environment where biological experiments can be conducted.
Developer: Teikyo College
Mass: 52 kg (114.6 lb)
Dimensions: 55 x 55 x 55 cm (21.7 x 21.7 x 21.7 in)

CubeSats

ASTERISC
Function: demonstration of a film-type dust sensor to observe cosmic dust and space debris. 
Developer: Ciba Institute of Technology
Mass: 4 kg (8.8 lb)
Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 34 cm (4.3 x 4.3 x 13.4 in) (3U)

ARICA
Function: demonstration of technology capable of providing rapid notices to scientists of sudden celestial events such as gamma-ray bursts.
Developer: Aoyama Gakuin University
Mass: 1 kg (2.2 lb)
Dimensions: 10 × 10 × 11 cm (3.9 x 3.9 x 4.3 in) (1U)

NanoDragon
Function: demonstration of an inexpensive, high-performance on-board computer using off-the-shelf technology.
Developer: Meisei Electric Co., Ltd.
Mass: 4 kg (8.8 lb)
Dimensions: 10 × 10 × 34 cm (3.9 x 3.9 x 13.4 in) (3U)

KOSEN-1
Function: demonstration of ultra-high-precision attitude control, ultra-small on-board computer using Linux, and Jupiter radio antenna technology.
Developer: Kochi National College of Technology
Mass: 3 kg (6.6 lb)
Dimensions: 10×10× 23 cm (3.9 x 3.9 x 9.1 in) (2U)