JAXA announced new ISS small satellite deployment system. The deployment use Kibo's airlock and robot arm. Kibo is the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM).
The satelltes deliver to ISS in cushoning bag by supply ship Progress or HTV. The satellites are equiped on the deployment feature. The deployment feature is put overboard through the airlock. The robot arm grabs the deployment feature, set the position and deploy the satellites. The deployed satellites reenter about 100 days. Now, JAXA put out a call for Japanse satellites to demonstrate this new system. The satellite is 1U, 2U or 3U CubeSat. Total size is 4U. Tow to four satellites will be selected (eg 1U+3U, 1Ux2+2U, 1Ux4). Here is the demonstration plan May 2011: satellites selection May 2012: deliver satellites to JAXA Sep 2012 or later: deployment using the new system The new system will relax vibration test condition compared to rocket launch. This will be good news for satellite manufactures. The new deployment system will make much satellite launch chances. The press release material is on the JAXA's web site. Sorry, it's in Japanse. http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2011/03/20110302_sac_smallsat.pdf Masa JN1GKZ _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
