From 2008, JAXA will use the opportunity of the
H-IIA launch to give commercial industries, universities and
other organizations a chance to launch small satellites (between
1 kg and 50 kg). JAXA will share the experiences and technologies
relating to orbit demonstration that will be gathered by the
commercial industries and universities. JAXA aims to expand future
applications of space development by using small satellites in
Japan, and contribute to education in universities and nurture
talented persons.
As the first step, last year JAXA took applications for small
satellites that could be placed onboard the H-IIA rocket, to
be launched from 2008. JAXA's selection committee screened the
21 group applications received, and this May selected six groups
whose small satellites will be launched onboard the H-IIA rocket
in summer 2008.
JAXA Industrial Collaboration Department held a "Joint Workshop
on Small Satellites" in the Metropolitan Industry and Trade Center
in Hamamatsu-cho, Tokyo, Japan on July 23, 2007. The meeting
room had a capacity of 80 people and was already full before
the workshop started. The six chosen groups each gave a presentation
on their small satellites and had enthusiastic question and answer
sessions with the participants.
An overview of each of the six satellites chosen by JAXA's selection
committee this May is shown below.
These satellites are all in the initial stages of development
using a flight model toward next year's launch.
