The Space One rocket, in which Canon Electronics has a stake, is planned for satellite launch service in 2021. One of the questions of interest is "What satellites will the first satellite launch rocket carry? That's what I'm talking about. Isn't the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center's short-launch small satellite the one we plan to carry? There are whispers of a rumor that this is the case. In this article, we will examine this.
2. Verification
2-1．Space One rocket launch scheduled
Space One's Rocket Launch Roadmap
The official web site of Space One lists the launch schedule as the above table. In addition to this, the following is what we can learn from the Japanese Space Development Watch in recent years.
- One small rocket is scheduled for 2017 and 2018, respectively. Launches for these rockets are expected to be SS-520-5 and SS-520-6.
- SS-520-5 and SS-520-6 were intended to develop rockets and satellites using civilian technology to demonstrate the launch of a 3-kilogram microsatellite.
- The two rockets are the body of JAXA's project. However, in 2018, the Nikkei newspaper reported that "Canon Electronics and IHI Aero participated in the development of a small rocket for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); they also supplied navigation technology and engine development for the SS-520, which was launched in February 2006. and "Canon Electronics provided control equipment for the rocket based on its camera technology. This project was initiated and financed by JAXA, and I suspect that the private sector wanted to make the most effective use of the launch opportunity as a testing ground for future business promotion.
- Space One's official web site describes the SS-520 rocket launch contract as an "avionics test flight," and the contract is described as more than just a contract, but as a stepping stone for future business.
- From these statements, Canon Electronics and Space One are thought to be conducting and planning to conduct tests and trials of elemental technologies, such as the conversion of consumer parts to other uses, as part of the JAXA project.
- In addition, a small rocket launch indication has been marked for 2020, and it is expected to conduct an "avionics test flight for space" using the SS-520 and other devices for the third time in 2020 or in fiscal year 2020.
- And if the roadmap is followed, the first satellite launch vehicle, developed by Space One, is scheduled to be launched in 2021 or FY2021.
2-2．Cabinet Inteligence Satellite Center, Short Launch Small Satellite System Demonstration Study and Schedule
The Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center (CSIC) is an organization that develops and operates information-gathering satellite systems and collects and analyzes imagery for security purposes such as diplomacy and defense and crisis management in response to large-scale disasters.
Simply put, it is a key organization that operates Japan's "reconnaissance satellites," known as the "intelligence gathering satellite system.
As of 2020, this Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center is conducting a "
demonstration study of a short-launch small satellite system". Its purpose is to conduct demonstration research on small satellites that can be launched in a short period of time with the aim of replacing the function of an intelligence-gathering satellite for a certain period of time in the event of an unforeseen event. In other words, this is a study of an optical small satellite that can be quickly launched in the event of a problem with an information-gathering satellite.
In this study, they have developed the following performance specifications for small satellites
- Optical satellites weighing less than 100kg and with a resolution of less than 1m
- Manufacturing and testing can be completed in a short period of time (2 to 3 months) at the time of commercialization.
The satellite launch capacity of the new Space One rocket is said to be 150 kg in a sun-synchronous orbit (southern launch, 500 km altitude), and the weight of the short-launch small satellite system will be within 100 kg.
In this study, not only the research, but also the actual satellite will be manufactured, launched into orbit by rocket, and its usefulness will be evaluated through two years of demonstration operations.
The main house joule presented at the beginning of November 2016 is as follows.
Schedule for the demonstration study of a short-launch small satellite system
It was scheduled to launch in 2019.
However, this schedule was revised in the 2008 Basic Space Program Schedule Report as follows. As of fiscal year 2008, it has been pushed back to a launch schedule in fiscal year 2020.
Basic Plan for Space Policy (revised in fiscal year 2018) Schedule as of December, 2018
It was scheduled to launch in 2020.
As of 2020, the latest Basic Plan timetable (decided by the Strategic Headquarters for Space Policy on December 13, 2019) is as follows.
Basic Plan for Space Policy (revised in FY2019) Schedule as of December 2019
Short-launch small satellite system launch in the middle of 2021
According to the latest schedule, the short-launch small satellite system launch is in the middle of 2021, which coincides with the aforementioned date for Space One's first rocket launch.
In addition, the Basic Plan of the Space Policy Program in FY 2020, it is stated that the project will be linked with the demonstration operations of short-term launch vehicles under the title of "Operational needs of the quick-response small satellite system and study of its operational concept".
In this study, the satellite system itself was acquired by A.E.S. Inc. under a contract. The ground system part was acquired by SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation.
The following is quoted from JM2040 article, "Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center Contracted for Demonstration Study of Short-Term Launch Small Satellite System.
The Cabinet Satellite Inteligence Center has been carrying out demonstration research on the "Short Term Launch Small Satellite System" since fiscal year 2016, and has contracted with A.E.S. for the satellite system and SKY Perfect JSAT for the ground system in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, supported by JAXA. A short-term launch small satellite is an optical satellite weighing less than 100 kg and with a resolution of less than 1 meter, which will be used as a replacement for an information-gathering satellite for a certain period of time in the event of a failure. This demonstration study will be launched in 2020 to evaluate its usefulness.
There was a public notice of competition for the ground system project in FY2016, but this could not be confirmed from the procurement results.
FY 2016.
Research and Development of a Short Term Launch Vehicle System (Part 1)
Contract Date 07/11/2016
The other party to the contract: A.E.S.
Contract amount 42,973,200 yen
2-3．Launch Schedule of Japan's Core Launch Vehicles (H-2A/B, H-3, Epsilon)
Japan's mainstay rockets, the H-2A/B, H-3, and Epsilon rockets, have been planned for launch in advance. The schedule for these rockets is also set in the National Space Policy (NSS) timetable. The latest schedule of the Basic Plan for Space Policy in FY2020 is described as follows.
The following satellites are scheduled to be launched by Japanese launch vehicles in 2021.
- Successor to the first quasi-zenith satellite (H-2A)
- Advanced Radar Satellite (Daichi 4) (H-3)
- HTV-X-1 (H-3)
- Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Experiment 2 (Epsilon)
There is no schedule entry in this one as a dedicated short-term launch small satellite. One presumption is that it will be launched as a piggyback satellite (which may be obvious since it is a 100 kg satellite). However, 100kg is too small to launch two satellites at the same time using a two-part fairing, because of the size of the main rocket.
Therefore, piggyback satellites are used as a form of piggyback satellite. Basically, the size of the Japanese piggyback satellite is 50cm in length, width, and height, and the mass is 50kg or less in principle. Piggyback satellites are mainly launched by H-2A rockets in Japan, and can carry up to four satellites.
In the past, the Small Demonstration Satellite-1 (SDS-1), which has the same mass as a 100 kg short-launch small satellite, was once launched as a piggyback satellite. Therefore, it is possible that a short-term launch small satellite could be launched together with the main satellite by utilizing the extra launch capacity of a large rocket.
SDS-1 (100 kg) launched in 2009 as a piggyback satellite
The piggyback satellite is a sub-satellite to the main satellite at the root of the fairing, and the orbit of the large satellite takes precedence over the orbit of the main satellite, and the piggyback satellite will be deployed in almost the same orbit initially. The following shows the orbital elements of GOSAT (IBUKI) and SDS-1, launched in 2009 on H-2A Launch Vehicle No. 15. As you can see, the piggyback satellite will be put into almost the same orbit as the main satellite.
Orbit comparison between GOSAT (IBUKI) and SDS-1
From these considerations, we can conclude the following.
1. Successor to the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite (H-2A)
→ It is not suitable for a geostationary orbit satellite.
2. Advanced Radar Satellite (Daichi 4) (H-3)
→ No record of piggybacking on H-3
3. HTV-X-1 (H-3)
→ No record of piggybacking on the HTV H-2B, HTV-only
No record of piggybacking on H-3.
4. Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Flight 2 (Epsilon)
→ As with the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration 1, piggyback
satellites were carried from the original plan.
It will carry seven cubesats, so there is no excess space.
Inside the fairing of the Epsilon launch vehicle with the main satellite and seven CubeSats on board
Based on these considerations, the Advanced Radar Satellite (Daichi-4) is the most likely candidate for piggybacking. However, there is no record of piggybacking on the H-3 launch vehicle before its development is completed.
Even if piggyback satellites could be carried on the H-3 launch vehicle, the main satellites, the Advanced Radar Satellite (ALOS), have an altitude of 698 km and an orbital inclination of 98.2 degrees for its predecessor, ALOS-2, at 628 km and an orbital inclination of 97.9 degrees, and ALOS-3, at 669 km (planned).The altitude will be 600-700 km, and it is doubtful whether the 1-meter resolution, which is the target for a short-term launch small satellite, can be achieved.
The following are examples of satellites with a resolution of 1m at an altitude of 600-700km.
・QuickBird
Altitude 600km, Resolution 1m, Mass 950kg
・SPOT-6,-7
Altitude 694 km, Resolution 1.5 m (panchromatic), Mass 714 kg
・KazEOSat-1
Altitude 750 km, Resolution 1 m (panchromatic), Mass 830 kg
All of these satellites are seven to ten times larger in mass. They also have large masses of telephoto lenses, and in order to achieve a small, 1-meter resolution observation satellite, the orbits would have to be lowered further to reduce the weight.
However, additional research has shown that Canon Electronics' CE-SAT-I is capable of achieving a mass of less than 65 kg and a resolution of 1 m at an altitude of 600 km, so it is still possible that the Advanced Radar Satellite (Daichi 4) could be launched simultaneously as a piggyback satellite.
For these reasons, there is a high possibility that none of Japan's mainstay rockets will be suitable for launching a short-term small satellite in 2021.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Therefore, it is considered necessary to prepare a separate rocket for launching a small satellite for a short-term launch.
2-4．Possibility of being launched by a rocket other than Space One
It is possible that they could be launched by a rocket other than Space One. However, there is a strong possibility that they too will be denied for the following reasons.
- There is a high possibility that Japan's main rocket cannot be used for the above reasons. But It is unlikely that the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center will use a foreign launch vehicle.
- One domestic launcher under development by Interstellar Technologies, Inc. as an alternative to the mainstay rocket is the ZERO orbital injection rocket. However, because the ZERO is scheduled to enter service around 2023, it will not be ready for launch in 2021.
