The University of Tokyo and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) received signals from the Micro deep-space explorer “PROCYON” at 8:51p.m. on December 3, 2014 (Japan Standard Time), to confirm it had been inserted into the scheduled interplanetary orbit. This is now in initial operaion phase. PROCYON was launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 26 as a secondary payload of the Asteroid Explorer “Hayabusa2 at 1:22:04 p.m.(JST) on Dec. 3, 2014 from the Tanegashima Space Center.”
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Overview of the Micro Deep-space Explorer “PROCYON” |
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Mission Outline |
Demonstration of micro-spacecraft bus system for deep space exploration including communication system and attitude and orbit control system. It will also demonstrate various deep space exploration technologies including asteroid close flyby observation. |
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Size/Mass |
H 630 × W 550 × D 550 mm / Mass about 65 kg |
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Development Organizations |
The University of Tokyo/JAXA |
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Cooperative organization for operation |
Tokyo University of Science/Hokkaido University/Meisei University/Rikkyo University, and others |