NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2009-002D
Seven microsatellites were deployed as piggyback payloads to the Ibuki spacecraft. All of these spacecraft will follow a similar roughly 660 km sun-synchronous orbit. Six of the small satellites were developed by universities and private-sector companies; the seventh was a technology demonstrator for JAXA.
Kagayaki, developed by the Tokyo-based information system company Sorun Corporation, will observe aurorae from space. The satellite was built by about 40 students in their free time after school and on weekends. More than 20 small and midsize companies in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, contributed to its manufacture. The mass of the satellite is 28kg and its size is 31 x 31 x 35 cm. Among the design features are an autonomous on-board control system and an inflatable deployable boom. The mission goals are to measure orbital debris and observe auroral electric currents.
Launch Date: 2009-01-23
Launch Vehicle: H-2A
Launch Site: Tanegashima, Japan
Mass: 28 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office