[amsat-bb] new ISS small satellite deployment system by JAXA

[Masahiro Arai]

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