We are back for the first covered rocket launch of the year. China has already launched twice, however, due to the lack of streaming outlets, we opted out of that coverage. Our focus today remains in Asia as we cover Japan's first take at the stars with TRICOM-1!Current Schedule Launch Time: 18:48 EST 01/10/2017
Launching Agency: JAXA
Payload: TRICOM 1
Launch Vehicle: SS-520 F4
Live Countdown
Stream
Mission Homepage
TRICOM 1 is an experimental 3U Cubesat built at the University of Tokyo.
TRICOM 1 is a 3 kg spin stabilized satellite featuring a store and forward communication equipment and an earth imaging camera. The CubeSat is launched without the usual deployer and is base mounted on the launch vehicle without the usual guiding rails or tabs.
The Store and forward mission is to collect the data that is transmitted from the ground terminal while orbiting the Earth, transfer the data at the direction of the ground station.
The earth imaging mission is to use four main cameras and a sub-camera during the initial operation to allow imaging the ground even in an unstable state.
TRICOM 1 is a 3 kg spin stabilized satellite featuring a store and forward communication equipment and an earth imaging camera. The CubeSat is launched without the usual deployer and is base mounted on the launch vehicle without the usual guiding rails or tabs.
The Store and forward mission is to collect the data that is transmitted from the ground terminal while orbiting the Earth, transfer the data at the direction of the ground station.
The earth imaging mission is to use four main cameras and a sub-camera during the initial operation to allow imaging the ground even in an unstable state.
The SS-520 is a two-stage rocket, the first stage of which comes from the main booster of the S-520. It has a capability for launching a 140 kg payload to an altitude of about 800nbsp;km.
The SS-520 aims at reaching 800nbsp;km altitude, and at the same time, carrying out technological experiments concerning the development of a mini-satellite launch vehicle by adding the third stage atop. The first stage is stabilized aerodynamically by use of tail fins like the S-520.
As the second stage is heavier than the head of S-520, the aerodynamic margin is secured more than ever. The whole motor case of the second stage is made of CFRP. The spin generated in the first stage is succeeded by the second stage, and it is utilized in the Rhumb-line control and spin stabilization.
The SS-520 debuted in January 1998 from Kagoshima, and ISAS also flew it from Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Norway, to send a payload into the cusp region of the geomagnetosphere.
The fourth vehicle, S-520-4, has been modified with an small third stage to create a modest picosat launcher, which can put a 4 kg 3U CubeSat into a 180 km × 1500 km orbit with an inlination of 31°. It is a technology demonstration with so serial production planned.
The SS-520 aims at reaching 800nbsp;km altitude, and at the same time, carrying out technological experiments concerning the development of a mini-satellite launch vehicle by adding the third stage atop. The first stage is stabilized aerodynamically by use of tail fins like the S-520.
As the second stage is heavier than the head of S-520, the aerodynamic margin is secured more than ever. The whole motor case of the second stage is made of CFRP. The spin generated in the first stage is succeeded by the second stage, and it is utilized in the Rhumb-line control and spin stabilization.
The SS-520 debuted in January 1998 from Kagoshima, and ISAS also flew it from Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Norway, to send a payload into the cusp region of the geomagnetosphere.
The fourth vehicle, S-520-4, has been modified with an small third stage to create a modest picosat launcher, which can put a 4 kg 3U CubeSat into a 180 km × 1500 km orbit with an inlination of 31°. It is a technology demonstration with so serial production planned.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the day as I learn of them!
GO JAXA, GO TRICOM 1!
