December 24, 2017 (JST)

National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

JAXA received telemetry data from SHIKISAI and TSUBAME, confirming that their satellite attitude control system had transitioned to the steady state. Current status of both satellites is stable.
Subsequently, the following procedure occurred – power generation that supports the satellites’ operation by the deployed solar array wings, ground communications and sound attitude control that maintains those operations. Combined by the completion of the series of other operations, such as powering up of the bus and mission equipment, the satellites have entered the state where they can be sustained in orbit. This concludes their critical operations phase*¹.

SHIKISAI and TSUBAME will move on to the next operations phase*², where the functions of the satellites’ onboard apparatus will be examined approximately in the next three-month period.

JAXA conveys deep appreciation for the support by all for the satellites’ launch and tracking.

*¹ Critical operations phase: the phase that follows satellite’s separation from a launch vehicle, solar array deployment, and powering up of instruments for the satellite’s regular operations. The critical operations phase comes to an end at the start of the satellite’s control mode for nominal operation.

*² Next operations phase: during this phase, the entire satellite, its observation/mission sensors and other onboard equipment are scrutinized.