Mars Terahertz Microsatellite

A Mars microsatellite mission carrying a terahertz sensor is being prepared by Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), and the University of Tokyo Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (ISSL).[1] The terahertz sensor will observe the oxygen isotopologue ratios of various molecules in the Martian atmosphere.[2] The probe will be launched as a piggyback payload with an unnamed primary payload in July 2020.[3]

ISSL has previously developed two deep space probes; the PROCYON asteroid probe and the EQUULUES CubeSat mission to Earth–Moon L2 Lagrangian point.[4] NICT will put into use their experience developing the SMILES (Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder) instrument on board the ISS Kibo module, and SWI (Sub-millimeter Wave Instrument) on board the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, which the institute jointly developed with ESA and DLR (German Aerospace Center).[1] Unlike the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, NICT's parent agency is the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). MIC formally approved the Mars Terahertz Microsatellite in early 2017.[3] The project is based on a past proposal named FIRE (Far InfraRed Experiment), which was a sensor intended for JAXA's cancelled MELOS Mars orbiter.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "惑星資源探査 ⼩型テラヘルツ探査機" (PDF) (in Japanese). National Institute of Information and Communications Technology. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  2. ↑ "Mars Micro-Satellite for Terahertz Remote Sensing" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  3. 1 2 Yamazaki, Keisuke (March 27, 2017). "Japan planning 2020 mission to put satellite in Martian orbit". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  4. ↑ Terazono, Junya (14 March 2017). "情報通信研究機構、東大などが2020年に火星周回衛星打ち上げを検討　朝日新聞が報道" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-05-13.
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