Raiko

This article is about the satellite. For the Pokémon character, see List of Pokémon (202–251).
Raiko
Mission type Technology
Operator Tohoku University
Wakayama University
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type 2U CubeSat
Launch mass 2 kilograms (4.4 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date 21 July 2012, 02:06 UTC[1]
Rocket H-IIB
Launch site Tanegashima Y2
Deployed from ISS
Deployment date 4 October 2012
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Inclination 51.65 degrees

Raiko (Japanese: 雷鼓, literally thunder drum) is a Japanese satellite which was built and operated by Tohoku and Wakayama Universities. A two-unit CubeSat, Raiko was deployed from the International Space Station on October 4, 2012, having been launched in July.

Raiko was launched aboard the Kounotori 3 spacecraft,[2] atop an H-IIB carrier rocket flying from Pad 2 of the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Centre. The launch occurred at 02:06 UTC on 21 July 2012.[1] Four other CubeSats were launched with Raiko; We-Wish, Niwaka, TechEdSat and F-1. The five CubeSats was delivered to the International Space Station for deployment. CubeSats were deployed from Japanese Experiment Module Kibo via the J-SSOD system on October 4, 2012 .[3][4]

Named after a Japanese god of thunder,[5] Raiko is a 2-kilogram (4.4 lb) spacecraft, which will be used for technology demonstration. It carries a camera with a fish-eye lens for Earth imaging,[6] a prototype star tracker, a deployable membrane to slow the satellite, lowering its orbit, a photographic system to measure the satellite's movement relative to the International Space Station, and a Ku-band antenna for communications and Doppler ranging experiments.[7]

We-Wish, Raiko, FITSat 1, F-1, and TechEdSat travelled to orbit aboard HTV-3.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bergin, Chris (20 July 2012). "Japanese H-IIB launches HTV-3 to the International Space Station". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  2. ↑ Harwood, William (20 July 2012). "Japan successfully launches its freighter to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "2011年6月15日 ISSからの小型衛星放出実証ミッションに採択されました". Institute for Education in Space. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  4. ↑ 大塚実 (25 January 2012). "JAXA、宇宙ステーションから超小型衛星を放出できる装置をプレス公開" (in Japanese). mynavi.jp. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "国際宇宙ステーション放出衛星「RAIKO」（雷鼓）". Tohoku University. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "The development of a microsatellite (RAIKO) is completed and delivered to JAXA". Tohoku University. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  7. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Raiko". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  8. ↑ We-Wish

External links