HTV-6 mission logo – JAXA
Update: The TuPOD will be released in January 2017 (exact date yet to be set).
The TuPOD, the satellite/deployer containing the first TubeSats ever to be released into space, continues its path as it has been handed over to JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).
On November 7th 2016 the TuPOD has been integrated in the CubeSat launcher J-SSOD (JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer) at JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) in Ibaraki Prefecture (Japan).
The TuPOD integration into the J-SSOD deployer has been successfully carried out by a team of experts from JAXA, from the Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS*) and from GAUSS Srl.
GAUSS Srl is the designer of the TuPOD, and performed the integration of the two small satellites housed in it, the TubeSats TANCREDO-I and OSNSAT.
The J-SSOD deployer, where the TuPOD has been integrated together with other 6 nano satellites, will be installed in the H-IIB Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI” (HTV-6) later this week. The HTV-6 will be launched via the H-IIB launch vehicle to the International Space Station next month (December 9, 2016, 1:26PM GMT), from where the TuPOD will be released into orbit, in the framework of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo”.
The HTV-6 launch is scheduled for December 9, 2016, 1:26PM GMT from Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center.
The possible launch window ranges from December 10 through December 31 2016, based on ISS operations scheduling.
The mission uses cutting-edge technology and the TuPOD itself represents an innovative space product, developed to launch a new type of pico-satellites, such as TubeSats.
Press Reports:
- Press Video from Japanese Asahi TV News
- Jaxa Press Website
- NHK News Article
- Biglobe News Article
- More on the TuPOD Mission
* JAMSS Small Satellite Launch Services Overview
Japanese equipe including a GAUSS Engineer doing the final fit-check for the satellites to be integrated in the J-SSOD (on the right) – Courtesy of JAXA
HTV-6 integration over H-IIB launch vehicle – Courtesy of JAXA
The J-SSOD Deployers – Courtesy of JAXA
The HTV-6 transfer vehicle – Courtesy of JAXA
HTV-6 press conference – Courtesy of JAXA
PDF file about the satellites integrated in the J-SSOD deployers (Courtesy of JAXA)