Two University of Tokyo's Micro-satellites "Hodoyoshi-3 & 4" were Launched on June 20 -New space development and utilization using low-cost and quick development satellites will start -

Two micro-satellites "Hodoyoshi-3 & 4" developed by University of Tokyo in the FIRST program of Cabinet Office of Japan were launched on June 19th 19:11 (UTC) (20th 4:11 am Japanese Standard Time) by Dnepr Launch Vehicle at YASNY Launch Base in Russia. They are now in initial operation phase, and Hodoyoshi-4's first wide angle camera image was donlinked. Video generated by connecting the downlinked images is now open on Facebook and YouTube.

 

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 Hodoyoshi-3 has 40m and 200m GSD Cameras and Hodoyoshi-4 has 6m GSD Camera to capture Earth remote sensing images, and both satellites have "Store & Forward" communication systems to receive various sensor data on ground as well as "Rental Space" to accommodate user-specified objects in several 10cm cubic spaces in satellites.  These satellites aim at demonstration of feasibility of practical applications of micro-satellites in space.   Newly developed advanced components such as high speed X-band transmitter and Ion propulsion system will also be tested on Hodoyoshi-4. "Hetero Constellation" experiment using two satellites with different capabilities will be tested, too.