About Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS)
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Creating new possibilities in satellite usage by developing new orbitsThe Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS) is the first Earth observation satellite to use a super low orbit. A "super low orbit" refers to an orbit with an altitude lower than 300 km. This orbit is an undeveloped region and it has yet to be fully utilized by satellites. Satellites in a super low orbit will bring benefits such as high resolution observations for optical imagers, low power transmissions for active sensors, and cost reductions for satellite manufacturing and launches. This is due to the closer range to the Earth.
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Project Topics
indexSHIKISAI and TSUBAME critical operation phase successfully completed! Initial function verification starts!
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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 u... |
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Press Release
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- Dec. 24, 2019 (14:00) [release]
- Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS) “TSUBAME” has set a GUINESS WORLD RECORDS(R)
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- Oct. 2, 2019 (15:00) [release]
- JAXA terminates the operation of TSUBAME, a Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS)
Characteristics of Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS)
SLATS will use the ion engine technology developed by JAXA in order to verify its technology for orbit control at super low altitudes.
The test satellite will also collect technical data related to the atmosphere, which will be used in the design of future satellites.
Furthermore, SLATS will photograph the Earth, and its technology will be evaluated for future Earth observation satellites.
Ion engine Atomic oxygen monitoring system |
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Major Characteristics
Major onboard instruments | 1. Atomic Oxygen Monitoring System a) AOFS (Atomic Oxygen Fluence Sensor) b) MDM (Material Degradation Monitor) 2. OPS (Optical Sensor) for Earth observation |
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Size | 2.5 (X) x 5.2 (Y) x 0.9 m (Z) (when expanded in orbit) |
Weight | 383 kg |
Generated power | 1,140 W or more |
Design life | 2 years or longer |
Results of Orbital Maintaining Operation | Tsubame successfully completed its orbital maintaining operation using ion engine technology at all the seven altitudes as follows: 271.5 and 216.8 km each for 38 days, and 250, 240, 230, 181.1 and 167.4 km each for 7 days. (At 167.4 km altitude, Tsubame used both its ion engine system and RCS because of the large atmospheric drag.) |
Launch Date | 10:26:22 on December 23, 2017 (JST) |
Launch Vehicle | H-IIA F37 |
Operation End Date | October 1st, 2019 |