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Signing a Memorandum of Understanding for Loading JAXA Space Environment Measurement Equipment on the Jason-2 Satellite of CNES

June 5, 2006 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the French Space Agency (CNES, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) for loading JAXA space environment measurement equipment on the Jason-2 satellite of the CNES.

The signing ceremony took place in Kanazawa, where the 25th International Symposium of Space Technology and Science (ISTS) is being held. JAXA President Keiji Tachikawa and CNES President Yannick D'escatha were at the ceremony starting from 2:30 p.m., Japan Standard Time, today.


The main items agreed to are as follows:
  1. JAXA is in charge of developing a Light Particle Telescope (LPT), space environment equipment, and handing it over to CNES at the end of Nov. 2006, and processing the data.
  2. CNES is in charge of developing the Jason-2 satellite and other onboard equipment for CNES mission, and operating the satellite.
  3. The launch of the Jason-2 is scheduled to be performed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in mid 2008.


Reference 1: Jason-2
Reference 2: JAXA space environment measurement equipment

Related information (background):
Report of the Space Activities Commission (SAC) on Oct. 12, 2005
"Loading JAXA environment measurement equipment on the CNES/Jason-2 satellite"
(Japanese only)




Jason-2

Mission: Oceanography satellite
Orbit: Altitude 1336 km, Inclination 66 degrees, Sun non-synclonous
Mass: About 500 kg
Launch :Mid FY2008 (by Delta-2)
Mission life: 5 years

LPT

Name: Light Particle Telescope (LPT)
Mass: About 7 kg
Power consumption: About 15 watts
Items to be measured: Electrons, protons, and α-ray



For inquiries:
JAXA Public Affairs Department
Tel: +81-3-6266-6413 to 7, Fax: +81-3-6266-6910