Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency August 2010 No. 02

Special Features JAXA : 15-day mission to the International Space Station realizes a long-held dream

Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa: Completing a seven-year return space voyage powered by ion engines Contents

No. 02 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 1−5 JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki realizes a long-held dream by Welcome to JAXA TODAY completing a successful 15-day mission in space The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) works to realize its vision of contributing to a safe and prosperous society through the Midori Nishiura, advisor to JAXA on public affairs, spoke with pursuit of research and development in the aerospace fi eld to deepen Yamazaki about her mission humankind’s understanding of the universe. JAXA’s activities cover a on the International Space broad spectrum of the space and aeronautical fi elds, including satellite Station and her thoughts on development and operation, astronomical observation, planetary space development. exploration, participation in the International Space Station (ISS) 6 project, and the development of new rockets and next-generation Akatsuki: On a mission to aeronautical technology. continuously map Venusian With the aim of disseminating information about JAXA’s activities meteorology in high-resolution 3-D and recent news relating to Japan’s space development programs to as wide an audience as possible, we launched JAXA TODAY in January Akatsuki will help to reveal the 2010. In this, the second issue, we introduce a wide range of topical true face of Venus. articles, including an interview with JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, who recently returned from a mission to the ISS, and a report on the Hayabusa (MUSES-C) mission, which overcame a succession of prob- 7–9 lems to achieve a successful return to Earth. We hope you will fi nd all of IKAROS: A space yacht harness- the content of interest. ing the power of the sun Groundbreaking technology A Miuta (Waka) Poem by enables deep-space exploration without the use of propellant fuel. Her Majesty the Empress At a press conference after his return on 宇宙飛行士帰還 July 31, 2009, from a four-month mission on

10–16 the ISS, JAXA Astronaut said まづその夏草の草の Asteroid explorer Hayabusa that it was when the hatch opened and he completes its return mission using could smell the grass that he felt he had been ion engines welcomed back to earth. Moved by those words, Her Majesty composed this poem. What were the secrets behind the 茂れる星に project team’s success in bring- ing the Hayabusa capsule back to Earth? 17 香を云ひし人 Tokyo hosts International Space Station (ISS) heads of agency (HOA) meeting 還り来て The astronaut’s return The ISS project fosters a strong partnership among On your return to participating countries. Our planet, lush with summer grass 18–19 First, you astronaut, JAXA promotes the use of space by countries in Asia and the You spoke of “the scent of grass” Pacifi c: Space Cooperation Offi ce Pouring into the shuttle. for the Asia-Pacifi c Region Expanding the use of space across a wide array of fi elds, from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and disaster Source: The Imperial Household Agency monitoring to education. 20–21 Cover Story JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki was a member of the crew of mission STS-131, JAXA’s frontier which fl ew to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the A roundup of JAXA’s recent Discovery, carrying a payload of supplies and equipment as part of the ISS activities assembly program. The cover photograph was taken on April 10, 2010, the sixth day of the mission, and captures Yamazaki at work inside the Leonardo Multi- Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), which was transported to the ISS by mission STS-131 and connected to the station’s Harmony node. Interview with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki

Interviewed by Midori Nishiura, Advisor, JAXA Public Affairs

The STS-131 Mission Patch JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki realizes a long-held dream by completing a successful 15-day mission in Space. Here she speaks with Midori Nishiura, advisor to JAXA’s Public Affairs Department.

JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki served as load master aboard Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-131. The primary purpose of STS-131 was to continue the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) and bring a payload of sup- plies and equipment to the ISS. As load master, Mission Specialist Yamazaki was responsible for managing operations to transfer materials between the Discov- ery and the ISS. After completing her two-week mission, Yamazaki and Midori Nishiura—advisor to JAXA on public affairs—spoke at length about Yamazaki’s activities in space, her training and her thoughts on future space development.

Flight Day 1 Flight Day 2

On Board the Space Shuttle 15 Days

Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off at 6:21 Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki used the The personal logo of JAXA a.m. EDT (7:21 p.m. JST), April 5, 2010. Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) as Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki an extension to the Discovery’s robotic arm—the Shuttle Remote Manipula- for mission STS-131 tor System (SRMS)—to check for any damage to the spacecraft’s body. This inspection was an important operation to ensure that there were no problems with the shuttle’s Thermal Protection All Flight Day photographs System (TPS) during re-entry into the ©NASA Earth’s atmosphere. 1 JAXA TODAY No. 02

but I must say that going to Space awareness and appreciation of and back is something most of us the things we take for granted on could hardly imagine. Earth normally. One of the biggest differences, of course, is the lack of Yamazaki: Actually, space isn’t gravity in Space. Did your body and really that far away. On board the movements feel heavy once you Space Shuttle, the time from liftoff were back on the ground? to arrival in space is just eight and a half minutes. That’s just a fraction Yamazaki: Yes, my head in of the time it takes for a commercial particular. My body became airliner to fl y from Tokyo to New York. accustomed to the microgravity environment aboard the ISS. Nishiura: Wow, eight and a half The Earth’s normal gravity made minutes, that’s incredibly quick. my head feel like it weighed 100 But, however quick you get there, kilograms. I realized that I had to the environment must be quite cope with gravity again, whether different from the Earth. When I liked it or not. you returned to Earth, and landed on the ground, the tremendous Two Japanese difference must have hit you. work side-by-side to Yamazaki: Yes, after our reentry carry out their mission and landing, when I stood on the on the ISS ground, I was fi lled with emotion Naoko Yamazaki, JAXA Astronaut about how great it was to be back on Nishiura: I understand that your Photo by Hiro Arakawa main role during the mission was as load master managing the transfer of supplies and equipment between The relaxing sensation of the wind on my the Space Shuttle and the ISS “face made me feel so grateful for nature operating the Leonardo. Having undergone the extensive pre- —Naoko Yamazaki mission training for this role, were ” you able to take on the task without Differences between life in Earth again. I felt Earth’s nature all any qualms? Space and on Earth leave around me. The relaxing sensation of the wind on my face made me feel a strong impression even Yamazaki: I was assigned my role so grateful for nature. as load master more than a year after spending only two before the mission’s liftoff, so I was weeks in Space Nishiura: Well, there’s no wind or able to do a lot of training for it. breeze in Space, is there? An important part of our training Nishiura: Yamazaki-san, welcome is dealing with contingencies—it’s back to Japan, and Earth for Yamazaki: No, there isn’t. That’s vital to avoid having to abandon that matter! why I was so happy to smell the some part of our mission because trees’ leafy fragrance carried by of a minor component malfunction Yamazaki: Thank you very much. the breeze. or similar problem. So for every task we perform, there’s a backup Nishiura: My work sometimes takes Nishiura: Traveling and working in plan—and often a second backup me to various cities in the world, Space must give you a renewed plan—that we train for, just in

Flight Day 3Flight Day 4 Flight Day 5 Flight Day 6

After the Discovery docked with the ISS, Astronaut Yamazaki used the ISS’ robotic Inside the Japanese Experiment Module Astronaut Yamazaki carried out prepara- the connecting hatches were opened and arm—the Space Station Remote Manipu- (JEM) Kibo, Astronaut Yamazaki (on the tions for the transfer of the Window the crews of STS-131 and ISS Expedition lator System (SSRMS)—to remove the right) and other STS-131 crew members Observational Research Facility (WORF), 23 long-duration mission exchanged Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) added commentary to video taken on- an observational rack that was sub- greetings. This marked an important Leonardo from the Discovery’s cargo bay orbit, which was transferred to Earth via sequently installed in the U.S. Destiny occasion for Japanese space fl ight, as and attach it to the ISS. This marked the a downlink. Laboratory Module of the ISS. Astronauts it was the fi rst time that two Japanese start of the transfer of materials, supplies entered and exited the platform through a astronauts had been aboard the and equipment brought by STS-131 central hatch. ISS simultaneously. from Earth.

2 Interview with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki

case. Thanks to these preparations, a part of this historic event for when I was actually on my mission Japan. Of course, exchanging the performing my role, I’d often think, Japanese morning greeting of “Oh, we did this in training!” For “ohayo” wouldn’t have been possible example, it was my job to use the if Astronaut Noguchi hadn’t been space station’s robotic arm to lift the aboard! Actually, there were a lot of Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics tasks that Astronaut Noguchi and I Module (MPLM)—developed by the performed as a team. We carried the Italian Space Agency (ASI)—out of Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory the shuttle’s cargo bay and connect Freezer for ISS (MELFI) from it to the Harmony node of the ISS. Leonardo to the Japanese Experiment The thing is, the Leonardo MPLM Module (JEM) Kibo. The MELFI is big and weighs about 12 tons! Of weighs 500 kilograms, so even in course, there’s no way we could have the microgravity environment where something that heavy banging into everything’s weightless, it’s important the Space Shuttle or the ISS, so we to have a well-honed technique. had to lift it very slowly and carefully. The actual operation went smoothly Nishiura: Absolutely! Bravo to both of and fi nished ahead of schedule. I’m you for working in perfect harmony. proud to say that all our training on the ground beforehand paid Yamazaki: Thank you. Astronaut off [laughs]. Noguchi and I took up separate positions at the front and rear of Nishiura: When you left for your the MELFI to carry it, but since the mission in the ISS, JAXA Astronaut unit’s so large we couldn’t see each Midori Nishiura, Advisor, JAXA Public Affairs was already aboard Photo by Hiro Arakawa the ISS on a long-duration mission. I’m sure his presence must have been a huge comfort and great help Even from this perspective alone, one can to you. “see that Space development is critical for Yamazaki: Yes, it was the fi rst the survival of humankind occasion for two Japanese astronauts —Midori Nishiura to be aboard the ISS at the same time, so I felt very happy to be other. This meant that when we went ” The Earth’s environmental through a narrow hatch passageway, problems played out in we needed to use very precise verbal cues back and forth, such as “I’ll microcosm on the ISS lower my end one more centimeter on your right.” This kind of task can be Nishiura: There’s an increasing quite diffi cult if the two people doing awareness, which is generating it aren’t on the same wavelength, so serious debate nowadays, on how to speak. I think that since we’re both mankind can survive into the future Japanese, Astronaut Noguchi and I with imminent unavoidable problems were able to communicate well. You like global warming, shortages of International Space Station (ISS) need to establish the right rhythm in food and water, and so on. Even from ©NASA that kind of situation. this perspective alone, one can see

Flight Day 7Flight Day 8 Flight Day 9 Flight Day 10

On this day, astronauts Clay Anderson JAXA held a public information event The crew continued to transfer equipment The crews of STS-131 and ISS Expedition and Rick Mastracchio performed their in which Astronaut Yamazaki spoke and materials. Astronaut Yamazaki and 23 participated in a joint in-orbit press second spacewalk—or extra-vehicular with children at her former school. At Alan Poindexter, Commander of STS-131, conference. Astronaut Yamazaki com- activity (EVA)—of the STS-131 mission. the closing of the event, the two JAXA worked with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) mented that the mission was proceeding Their main task was the removal of an old astronauts teamed up for a musical duet, canisters, which were used to absorb smoothly thanks to good teamwork. Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA) and the playing the traditional Japanese folk song carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of the installation of a new ATA. The ATA was “Sakura, Sakura” (Cherry Blossoms). shuttle’s environmental control and life part of a radiator system used to remove Yamazaki played a miniature koto (Japa- support system (ECLSS). heat from the space station. nese stringed instrument) and Noguchi a ryuteki (bamboo fl ute) and a small electric piano. 3 JAXA TODAY No. 02

must depend on being application of Space technology resupplied from Earth. in the medical and building We also have to reduce construction fi elds. our waste as much as possible and make waste Yamazaki: Yes, particularly in very compact. the medical fi eld, some evidence suggests that spending time in Nishiura: So even in space may lead to premature aging Space, we can’t get of the body. Loss of bone density away from having to and muscular atrophy are some of face the waste problem. the effects that have been observed. Because of this, astronauts must Yamazaki: No, we exercise to avoid a decline in can’t. The problems physical strength and maintain occurring on Earth their muscles and bone density. It’s are being played out in hoped that the results of research miniature within the relating to the health management very restricted quarters of astronauts can be used on Earth ©NASA of the ISS. As a result, in such areas as medical care for that Space development is critical many of the technologies used on the the aged. for the survival of humankind. Since ISS may be applied back on Earth. you’ve actually been to and worked For example, since the food prepared Nishiura: How do you see Japan, in Space, please tell us your views for astronauts has to have a long and Japanese astronauts in the on these important global issues. shelf life, only foods that meet very world of Space development? stringent hygiene standards can be Yamazaki: I think that the ISS can used. These hygiene standards are Yamazaki: The Japanese be seen as a microcosm of the Earth. currently utilized for processed Experiment Module Kibo is very sophisticated, and I believe that it’ll prove its worth as a world- class laboratory. The contribution We’re moving toward an era where the con- of the H-II Transfer Vehicle “tribution of Japanese people to world space (HTV) resupply spacecraft is also signifi cant, and these achievements development will continue to grow and are recognized by astronauts from all of the countries participating in eclipse even what we’ve seen to date the ISS. As someone from Japan, I fi nd this very gratifying. I think —Naoko Yamazaki that we’re moving toward an era ” where the contribution of Japanese On the ISS, people are living within food-hygiene management in the people to world space development a very limited space, and water United States. will continue to grow and eclipse and air must be recycled. Urine is even what we’ve seen to date. purifi ed back into drinking water, Nishiura: I’ve heard that Space I’m totally committed to helping and carbon dioxide is extracted from development-related technology Japan’s space development efforts in the air we exhale and oxygen is was applied to the design of a whatever way I can. added so that it becomes breathable new shape of beer can to achieve air again. Since we can’t yet both lightness and strength. There produce our own food on the ISS, we are also high expectations for the

Flight Day 11Flight Day 12 Flight Day 13 Flight Day 16

Mission Specialists Naoko Yamazaki After securing the Leonardo The crews of STS-131 After landing back on and operated the ISS’ module in the shuttle’s pay- and said Earth, Astronaut Yamazaki robotic arm to detach the Leonardo mod- load bay (left-hand photo), the crew began their farewells prior to the undocking gave an energetic smile as she stood next ule from the ISS. On this day, the crew the late inspection of Discovery’s heat shield. of the Space Shuttle from the ISS. The to the Space Shuttle Discovery. Yamazaki maneuvered the module into a low-hover Astronaut Yamazaki used the shuttle’s right-hand photo was taken from the said that she was glad to have successfully position above Discovery’s payload bay. robotic arm and orbiter boom sensor system ISS after undocking. The Discovery was completed her mission and was happy to (OBSS) to carry out the inspection. docked to the ISS for 10 days, 5 hours and feel Earth’s beautiful nature. 8 minutes.

4 Interview with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki

apparatus, including such large Profi les items as the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS Naoko Yamazaki and (MELFI). Together with JAXA the Space Shuttle STS-131 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi, Yamazaki transferred such equipment as mission the Muscle Atrophy Research and Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off Exercise System (MARES), to be from the used in muscle and bone research, on April 5, 2010 (Japan standard and the Window Observational time), with JAXA Astronaut Naoko Research Facility (WORF), a new Yamazaki aboard. Yamazaki is the science imaging platform. fi rst Japanese woman to qualify as Before the Discovery’s docking a Mission Specialist (MS), a position with the ISS and once again prior to held by certain NASA astronauts its return to Earth, the crew carried during Space Shuttle missions. out external inspections of the Photo by Hiro Arakawa The principal objectives of Space Shuttle’s body. Yamazaki was mission STS-131 were to deliver assigned as one of the crew members training as she worked to realize the equipment and materials to be used maneuvering the Discovery’s robotic long-held dream of going into space. in scientifi c experiments aboard the arm and boom extension, which is ISS and to replenish the supplies equipped with cameras and sensors, Midori Nishiura needed by the astronauts living to inspect the portside wing and Midori Nishiura, an opinion leader, on the space station. Astronaut nose cap of the Space Shuttle. After president of consulting fi rm Amadeus Yamazaki was assigned as the approximately two weeks in space, Inc., advisor to JAXA on public mission’s load master and as one of the Discovery safely made its reentry affairs, and Visiting Professor at the operators of the robotic arms and landing. Yamaguchi University, among many of both the ISS and the Space When Yamazaki was a junior other important roles, has served Shuttle. The Multi-Purpose Logistics high school student, she saw the on the Advisory Board of various Module (MPLM) Leonardo, which news of the Space Shuttle Challenger major companies and also sits on was packed with the materials accident. The desire to carry on the committees organized by government and equipment to be delivered, work of the astronauts who lost their ministries and agencies. Author of was transported to the ISS in the lives in this accident was one of the many books as well as articles in Discovery’s payload bay. Using the things that motivated Yamazaki leading publications, Ms. Nishiura, ISS’ robotic arm, Yamazaki moved to become an astronaut herself. having conducted her own interview the Leonardo MPLM from the Since her selection as an astronaut programs on television, is often shuttle’s cargo bay and attached it to candidate in 1999, Yamazaki has called upon to commentate on the ISS. Inside the Leonardo module undertaken 11 years of rigorous the news. was a wide range of experiment

JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi returns to Earth after completing the longest mission in space by a Japanese astronaut

returned to Earth aboard a Soyuz we are moving closer to an era in spacecraft together with fellow crew which people from Japan and many members from the United States and other countries will live in space.” Russia. During his mission, Noguchi Noguchi emphasized that mankind’s helped operate and maintain the scope of activities in space will ISS’ systems and conducted a continue to expand in the future. variety of scientifi c experiments that utilized the space environment. At a post-return press conference held at JAXA’s Houston Offi ce, Noguchi commented, “Through press conferences and The start of the day on the ISS: the crew enjoy breakfast. other opportunities I want to ©NASA communicate to the people of Japan the things I experienced, saw and On June 2, 2010, after a 161-day heard during my six-month long- long-duration mission on the ISS, duration mission in space. I want to JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi let people know that, step-by-step, After breakfast, it’s time to start work! ©NASA

5 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Akatsuki: On a mission to continuously map Venusian meteorology in high-resolution 3-D

Akatsuki: On a mission to continuously map Venusian meteorology in high-resolution 3-D

©Akihiro Ikeshita How did Venus—so similar to Earth in many respects —end up with such a hostile climate? What forces are A new dawn driving its sulfuric acid clouds at such fi erce speed around the planet? Answers to these and other ques- Unlike many Japanese space tions may provide vital clues to understanding climate missions that have received change here on Earth. their names after canvassing public opinion, the name Akatsuki, the Venus climate orbiter cover, and offers a tantalizing op- “Akatsuki” was chosen by the also known as PLANET-C, was portunity to unravel one of the solar project team during the devel- launched from the Tanegashima system’s greatest mysteries: the Space Center on May 21, 2010, super-rotation of Venus’ atmosphere. opment phase of the PLANET- and is currently on its six-month During Akatsuki’s voyage to C project. The Japanese word interplanetary cruise to rendezvous Venus, JAXA is conducting tests akatsuki refers to the period with Venus in late 2010. After be- of the probe’s systems and equip- when the fi rst light is visible in ing inserted into an elliptical orbit ment, making sure all is ready for the eastern skies just before that will oscillate between 300 and its planned observation program. 80,000 kilometers above the planet’s It is hoped that data gathered by sunrise. This is the time when equator, Akatsuki will commence a Akatsuki will complement that of Venus is at its most beauti- two-year mission to gather a myriad the European Space Agency’s Venus ful. Hence, akatsuki not only of data on the Venusian atmosphere Express probe, which is now operat- means the dawn of a new day and its meteorological phenomena. ing in a polar orbit around Venus but also implies a strong sense The highlight of this mission will and making observations with a dif- of hope and anticipation. In be a continuous stream of high- ferent array of instruments to those resolution 3-D images to be provided on Akatsuki. this sense, the name signifi es by Akatsuki’s fi ve main scientifi c In the next issue of JAXA the project team’s determina- instruments, each operating at dif- TODAY, we are planning an in-depth tion for the mission to ferent wavelengths ranging from feature on the Akatsuki mission and achieve success. infrared to ultraviolet. This array its background, and look forward to will enable the spacecraft to peer reporting the latest . through the thick Venusian cloud 6 IKAROS: A space yacht harnessing the power of the sun

IKAROS: A space yacht harnessing the power of the sun

JAXA’s Small Solar Power Sail Dem- The IKAROS Mission onstrator IKAROS was launched with Minimum success: Achieved deployment of the large membrane Achieved the Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki and power generation by the thin-fi lm solar cells by an H-IIA Launch Vehicle from the Full success: Acceleration verifi cation and navigation technology Tanegashima Space Center on May acquisition by the solar sail 21, 2010. IKAROS—an acronym of Venus

Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated (5) Full success • Orbit control by Radiation Of the Sun—subsequently (in six months) Earth and navigation achieved its trajectory and is cur- Minimum success technology (in a few weeks) using solar sail rently on its interplanetary journey (4) toward Venus. Assistant Professor • Acceleration experiment by solar sail Osamu Mori, the project leader, (1) (3) provides an overview of the • H-IIA launch (2) • Membrane deployment • Sun pointing • Radio telemetry on • Spin down (1–2 rpm) IKAROS mission. • Spin separation • Initial operation checks • Solar power generation (5 rpm) • Spin up (25 rpm) and by thin-fi lm solar cells begin deployment

7 JAXA TODAY No. 02

Schematic Illustration of the Unfurled Solar Sail

Tip mass: 0.5 kilogram weights for unfurling the membrane and keeping it extended

Dust counter: piezoelectric element to measure the distribution of space dust

Tethers: connecting the main body and sail membrane

Thin-fi lm solar cells: 25-micrometer thickness amorphous silicon cells

Liquid crystal device: refl ectance adjusted for attitude control Assistant Professor Osamu Mori Lunar and Planetary Exploration Program Membrane: 7.5-micrometer thickness polyimide resin with aluminium vapor deposited on one side; reinforced to Group prevent splitting

Two main objectives of the IKAROS cells. For example, even if we sent a shape measuring 20 meters along mission spacecraft on a mission to a planet the diagonal. For the launch into as far from the sun as Jupiter, it space, the sail membrane is packed The primary objective of the would still be possible to generate away. The membrane is accordion- IKAROS mission is to demonstrate suffi cient electricity for such a pleated and the four tips, which the solar sail, which may be simply mission using a solar array on form a cross like a kite, are wound described as a “space yacht.” While the sail. around the small disc-shaped a yacht is propelled forward by central body of the spacecraft. When harnessing the power of the wind in Unfurling the solar sail using the sail is deployed, it is simply a its sails, a solar sail harnesses the centrifugal force matter of reversing this process. power of sunlight, or more precisely, We use the centrifugal force from the pressure created by photons The sail is an extremely thin the spacecraft’s spinning motion from the sun. Hence, IKAROS is membrane—its thickness is just to deploy the sail. Although the an interplanetary spacecraft that 7.5 micrometers—made from a spacecraft spins at approximately requires no propellant fuel to move polyimide resin that provides 25 revolutions per minute (rpm) through space. excellent durability in the space prior to the sail opening, from the Another objective of the environment. Polyimide is used time the sail is unfurled the craft IKAROS mission is power extensively as an insulation gradually slows down to 1–2 rpm to generation using thin-fi lm solar material on satellites. The sail keep the sail in its opened position. cells. This is an original idea— is partly covered with thin-fi lm This is called the spin-deployment embedding an array of solar cells amorphous silicon solar cells, which method. into the membrane of a solar sail, have been deployed together with which generates electricity from the solar sail itself. Compared with Steadily achieving its mission the sunlight it receives. For the the conventional hard solar panels since launch solar sail to harness the sunlight’s used on satellites, IKAROS’ solar pressure, it must have a large cells are very lightweight. Within the IKAROS mission, we set surface area, and this allows us to When fully deployed, the as our benchmarks for “minimum incorporate a large area of solar sail membrane is a square kite success” the deployment of the solar

Position of the Detachable Cameras and Labeled Image of the Camera (Common design for DCAM1 and DCAM2)

Camera (common design for both cameras)

Radio antenna DCAM1 Wide-angle lens

Solar array panel (SAP)

DCAM2

Camera body

Assistant Professor Mori (bottom right) and other members of the IKAROS project team participate in an operational meeting. 8 IKAROS: A space yacht harnessing the power of the sun

Membrane Deployment Sequence and Mechanism Tip mass separation 5 rpm 2 rpm

Separation from Spin down Tip mass launch vehicle Tip mass separation was completed

Activate tip mass separation mechanism to separate all four tip masses simultaneously First-stage deployment (quasi-static): Approximately one hour 25rpm As the membrane deploys, the spin rate slows 5 rpm Approx. 15 m

Stopper (rotation guide) The membrane gradually Spin up to 25 rpm and start the fi rst stage of deployment by activating deploys through centrifugal Completion of fi rst-stage the stopper (rotation guide), which holds the membrane in place, with force as the relative rotation deployment the relative motion mechanism (motor drive) mechanism activates Second-stage deployment (dynamic): Approximately fi ve seconds; approximately 100 seconds before vibration settles

As the membrane is released it deploys dynamically 2 rpm

Completion of Activate the stopper (rotation guide) Approx. 20 m second-stage and release the hold of the membrane deployment to start second-stage deployment Image taken by DCAM2 Image taken by DCAM1 confi rms that the Jupiter and Trojan Asteroids shows the fully unfurled sail liquid crystal devices are operating properly Exploration Program (Future Plan)

Liquid crystal device power was off

Ultra-thin solar sail Liquid crystal device power was on Thin-fi lm solar cells

©Akihiro Ikeshita sail and generation of electricity the spacecraft by a spring. The solar cells, conduct the fi rst-ever from the solar cells. We successfully images captured by the camera are demonstration of acceleration deployed the sail on June 9 at a relayed to the main craft via radio by sunlight photon pressure and distance of 7.4 million kilometers communications. The detached verify the orbit control through from Earth, and on the following camera did not return to the main that acceleration. Hence, we aim to day we succeeded in generating spacecraft but instead became the acquire navigation technology by power using the solar cell array. Our “world’s smallest satellite.” using a solar sail. If we can do all minimum success benchmarks were The second detachable camera this, the mission will have achieved both world fi rsts. (DCAM1) was also successfully “full success.” Subsequently, on June 14, deployed on June 19, providing In the future, under the using one of two tiny deployable images of the entire sail. Since Jupiter and Trojan Asteroids cameras (DCAM2) carried by the DCAM1 detached slowly and began Exploration Program we plan to spacecraft, we successfully captured capturing images from a close send an interplanetary probe using images of the fully deployed sail. distance, we were able to confi rm a solar power sail to explore the area This remarkable accomplishment from these images the operational around Jupiter. For that mission, is the fi rst time that images have status of the liquid crystal devices we will use a much bigger sail been captured of the main body of that are embedded in the sail, whose measuring about 50 meters along an interplanetary spacecraft using refl ectance can be adjusted for the diagonal. In addition to the a camera that detaches in deep attitude control. sail, the spacecraft will be a hybrid space. The camera is a cylindrical From here on, over a period of carrying an ion engine enabling it device measuring approximately about six months we will measure to accelerate freely as it heads for six centimeters in both diameter and observe the power-generating Jupiter and the Trojan asteroids. and height and was detached from performance of the thin-fi lm

9 Copy inhibit All rights reserved

Hayabusa’s triumphant return

“As the small light moved from its low position in the northwest sky toward a higher position in the southeast, it slowly grew brighter. As we gazed up, we saw what appeared to be a huge explosion in the night sky directly in front of us. The dazzling light—like a display of fi reworks—glowed above the nighttime desert. Gasps and shouts of excitement rang out. The light continued on—descending in a straight line toward the southeast as it gradually scattered and dispersed. It fi nally disappeared in a wisp just before it crossed in front of the Milky Way. I had thought for a moment that I could hear the loud reverberation of an explosion, but in reality there was no sound at all...” (continued on page 16)

Photograph: Hiroshi Yamaguchi http://www.yamane-offi ce.co.jp/

10 Copy inhibit All rights reserved

11 JAXA TODAY No. 02

©Akihiro Ikeshita Asteroid explorer Hayabusa completes its return mission using ion engines

Hayabusa’s core mission was to collect and return to Earth a surface sample from the asteroid Itokawa. When Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule touched down, it completed the world’s fi rst-ever return space mission to a celestial body other than the moon. In this special feature article, Hayabusa project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Dr. Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi Dr. Hitoshi Kuninaka Project Manager, Group Leader, Spacecraft Kawaguchi and ion engine develop- System, JSPEC Program Director, Lunar and ment manager Professor Hitoshi Planetary Exploration Program Professor, Kuninaka provided insights into the Group (JSPEC) Space Transportation, ISAS JAXA many unique innovations the Hayabu- Professor, Department of Space Systems and Astronautics, sa project team utilized to realize this Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), extraordinary return space voyage JAXA spanning more than seven years and six billion kilometers.

12 Asteroid explorer Hayabusa completes its return mission using ion engines

Seeking a mission with novel An overview of Hayabusa’s challenges

seven-year voyage Around the end of the 1980s, the Institute of Space and Astronauti- Hayabusa—whose name means “peregrine falcon” in Japanese—was cal Science (ISAS)—at the time launched on May 9, 2003, on an M-V rocket on a mission to the asteroid affi liated to Japan’s Ministry of Itokawa, which travels in an elliptical orbit between the orbits of Earth and Education, Science, Sports and Cul- Mars. Hayabusa’s primary objective was to take a sample from the aster- ture—and NASA’s Jet Propulsion oid and return it to Earth. Asteroids are thought to retain a comparatively Laboratory (JPL) established a joint signifi cant amount of information relating to the period during which the study group on planetary explora- Earth, Venus and other planets were born. Hence, if a sample could be re- tion. Although the main themes of turned from an asteroid it may provide important clues to such questions as the group were comet probes and “What substances were the bases for planet formation?” asteroid rendezvous observations, On September 12, 2005, Hayabusa effected a rendezvous with Itokawa, the scale of NASA’s bold plans were and during October of that year it carried out detailed observations of the overwhelming for us. Even the types asteroid’s surface. In November, although Hayabusa made two touchdowns of missions that we at ISAS could onto the asteroid’s surface, shortly afterward a fuel leak caused the space- not even contemplate yet were being craft to malfunction and lose communication with its controllers back on realized by NASA through efforts Earth. Although communication was recovered in January 2006, at that point Hayabusa was found to be rotating and drifting off in the wrong di- combining existing technologies. rection. The project team needed to correct the spacecraft’s attitude, but It was around this time that two of the craft’s three reaction wheels—essential to attitude control—had we began to set our sights on novel malfunctioned, leaving just a single functioning reaction wheel. Despite this and ambitious missions of our own. severe handicap, the project team managed to redirect Hayabusa’s rota- What we came up with—without tion axis, and in April 2007 the spacecraft was able to take advantage of a fully parsing all the implications— launch window to fi nally enter its return trajectory to Earth. Owing to the was a “sample-return mission to an large number of problems and equipment failures along the way, its return asteroid using ion engines.” At the to Earth had been delayed three years compared with the original schedule. time, Japan was still a relative new- Whether or not Hayabusa had been able to obtain a sample from Itokawa comer in the space exploration fi eld, would not be known until after its return home. so such a mission seemed a very big Just as Hayabusa’s return seemed to be at hand in November 2009, stretch indeed. However, it was the a further problem occurred with the loss of operation of all the craft’s ion accumulated know-how fostered at engines. However, the project team combined the functioning parts of two ISAS that allowed us to aim for such engines to successfully convert to “cross operation” of the ion engines. After an ambitious target. In 1995, we such a drama-fi lled mission, Hayabusa made its miraculous return to Earth made a successful funding request on June 13, 2010. Although the main body of the spacecraft burned up after and the project commenced in the reentry to the atmosphere, the sample-return capsule, which had been re- following year. leased immediately before reentry, landed safely in the South Australian Outback within the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). The capsule was re- covered soon after and is presently undergoing preparations for full analysis of its content.

. June 5 June 13 19:51 Command sent to Hayabusa for the release of the sample-return capsule (Sagamihara Campus Control Room) Immediately after the command is sent, a disturbance is detected in Hayabusa’s attitude and the capsule separation is confi rmed. Hayabusa’s fi nal mission begins, as it attempts to capture images Sagamihara Campus Control of Earth. Room Recovery base camp The operation support staff receive bouquets set-up of fl owers. 22:27 The recovery crew begins 15:06 setting up its antennae and Subaru Telescope captures All radio communications from other equipment to be used for images of Hayabusa Hayabusa cease the capsule recovery. Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima) Subaru Telescope—operated by the All signals from Hayabusa being tracked by the National Astronomical Observatory of Uchinoura Space Center go dead. Communication Japan at the Mauna Kea Observatory is lost. When signals cease, Hayabusa is part way on Hawai’i—successfully captures Timeline of the through transmission of data of its fi nal image of images of Hayabusa, which is 22:51 Earth. capsule’s return approximately 170,000 kilometers from Reentry fi reball observed and recovery Earth. Its magnitude of brightness was (NASA’s DC-8 Airborne Laboratory) approximately +21. The photograph The glowing spacecraft and capsule with shows Subaru Telescope on the left-hand heat trail. side of the Mauna Kea summit. ©NASA 13 JAXA TODAY No. 02

Choosing a target asteroid months later, we were able to regain Eventually the team’s efforts paid radio contact with Hayabusa. At off when we were able to regain From among the limited number of that point the craft was drifting off some attitude control by utilizing small celestial bodies that we could course and we were unable to thrust the tiniest amount of solar power. target for exploration, we focused the ion engines in the direction re- With this spin-stabilized state on an asteroid called “1998 SF36,” quired. The fi rst thing we needed to achieved, we were able to fi re up the which offered a good launch window accomplish was an attitude correc- ion engines once more. opportunity. However, we concluded tion of the craft’s spin axis. Unfor- We then moved to begin the that the capabilities of the M-V tunately, owing to a fuel leak, the second phase of the trajectory ma- rocket launch vehicle alone would chemical engines—needed for the neuver operation in February 2009. not be suffi cient to reach this target. attitude correction maneuver—were After considering many different not functioning. In the case of a con- Ion engines shut down during options, we developed the concept of ventional spacecraft, at this point return leg a return voyage combining an Earth we would have given up. Luckily, swing-by with ion engines. The however, we were able to success- In mid-October 2009, as Hayabusa trajectory plan entailed the probe fully perform an ejection of the ion was cruising on its return leg, we orbiting the Earth for a year, operat- engines’ xenon gas propellant to discovered high neutralizer voltage ing its ion engines and building up regain attitude control. Our original in one of the ion engines, which we energy, and then making an Earth engineering design had never even suspected was caused degradation gravity assist swing-by for accelera- contemplated this way of using the and which suggested the neutralizer tion toward the asteroid. In August xenon gas. was nearing the end of its operating 2003, after the launch of Hayabusa, In February 2007, we reignited life. Under normal circumstances, the International Astronomical the ion engines and between April if either the neutralizer or thruster Union (IAU) offi cially named the as- and October of that year we per- exhaust fails, it means that the ion teroid for Professor Hideo Itokawa, formed the fi rst phase of the trajec- engine can no longer be used. Our a Japanese aerospace engineer tory maneuver operation in prepara- initial response was to try and delay who pioneered the country’s space tion for the return to Earth. the neutralizer’s failure by carefully development efforts. Hayabusa The situation, though, was controlling engine output. However, effected a rendezvous with Itokawa still quite tenuous. Only one of the on the night of November 3, the neu- in September 2005 and soon spacecraft’s three reaction wheels tralizer voltage increased once again commenced observations. for controlling attitude movement and the ion engine autonomously was working and we could not use shut down due to this malfunc- A series of crises: communication the chemical engines at all. In any tion. Even though some of the team lost after Itokawa landings; attitude case, ion engines can only be used thought that this really was the end control becomes inoperable if a spacecraft’s attitude is stable. of the line for Hayabusa, we had one Since we could not achieve this, we last trick up our sleeve. Ion engines In late 2005, Hayabusa made two had to utilize a makeshift method comprise pairs of ion thrusters and touchdowns on the asteroid, the fi rst of operation. At the start of the fi rst neutralizers. Hence, our fi nal work- on November 20 and then again phase of the trajectory maneuver around involved the “cross opera- on November 26. However, shortly operation, we were unable to obtain tion” of previously separate pairs of thereafter, in December 2005, we attitude stability. It felt a bit like neutralizers and thrusters. In lost all communication with the herding cats—unresponsive— effect, we salvaged the parts spacecraft. Eventually, about two but we persisted nevertheless. that remained in working order (continued on page 16) June 14

Public viewing room at the 23:56 Sagamihara Campus Capsule located in the Woomera More than 1,000 people gather late Prohibited Area (WPA) at night at the Sagamihara Campus The capsule and parachute are sited by the 14:00 (approximate) to view and cheer on Hayabusa’s helicopter search team. fi ery fi nale. Heat shield located The heat shield body and backplate are both found in the vicinity of the capsule’s touchdown Capsule retrieval point. The recovery crew wear special protective equipment and clothing while rendering the capsule safe by cutting cables leading WPA Control Center to the pyrotechnic mechanism (used to jettison the heat shield). They also take Recovery team leader Professor Hitoshi Kuninaka samples of sand at the landing spot for and Woomera Test Range operations manager John reference purposes during return-sample McKevett shake hands on hearing the news of the analysis. 14 capsule’s discovery. Asteroid explorer Hayabusa completes its return mission using ion engines

The heat shield that protected Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule

The separation of Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule from the main narrow down the area in which the heat shield landed. The capsule spacecraft took place at 7:51 p.m. (Japan Standard Time) on June 13, was quickly located and recovery commenced during daylight hours the 2010, just three hours before reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere. following day, and the heat shield components were also recovered. It is estimated that during reentry the capsule was exposed to After a seven-year, six-billion-kilometer journey through deep temperatures in the range of 10,000–20,000˚C. Although the velocity space, the recovery of the sample-return capsule, parachute and heat of the capsule during descent through the atmosphere reached ap- shield marked an important milestone in the history of mankind’s proximately 12 kilometers per second (km/s), or about 1.5 times its space exploration. It meant that Hayabusa had become the fi rst space- speed at reentry from its Earth orbit, it had to withstand more than 10 craft to visit an asteroid and return to Earth. Moreover, the successful times the amount of heat compared with the reentry point. To protect return has signifi cant value from the perspective of future sample- the capsule from such extreme temperatures, it was equipped with a return missions to bodies within the solar system. State-of-the-art specially developed heat shield. reentry technology is an essential part of such missions, and through A simple way to describe the heat shield’s basic two-piece Hayabusa Japan has acquired—by its own efforts—fi rst-hand structure would be as a “bowl with lid”—the bowl facing forward and evidence that can be utilized to further advance this fi eld. the lid at the rear. The heat shield’s two main constituent materials were carbon-fi ber-reinforced plastic (CFRP)—which is used for such applications as high-end sports equipment and aircraft structural com- From capsule separation to touchdown

ponents—and carbon phenolic resin, one of many types of phenolic 19:51 resin, which are commonly found in kitchen goods and household Capsule separates The capsule’s reentry fire trail appliances. from the main spacecraft When carbon phenolic resin is exposed to extremely high tem- peratures, it becomes an ablative material—it gasifi es and creates a thin boundary layer, which carries the heat away by convection. This 22:56 Altitude: 5 km provides the heat-shield effect, thereby preventing the capsule from 22:51 (1) Heat shield jettisoned heating above a certain temperature. Hayabusa’s sample-return cap- Altitude: 200 km Heat shield (2) Parachute deployed Capsule encounters (Backplate) (3) Radio beacon activated sule was able to provide important data to verify what thickness the the Earth’s atmosphere resin layer needed to be to withstand the extreme heat generated during atmospheric reentry. During the capsule’s descent, its velocity gradually decreased due Heat shield to atmospheric resistance. When it reached a certain altitude, a pyro- (Body) technic mechanism triggered the jettisoning of the heat shield from the sample-return capsule. The two pieces of the heat shield then fell to Earth separately while a parachute was deployed by the capsule to 23:08 slow its fi nal drop to the ground. The location of the capsule was then Touchdown tracked using radar and an onboard radio beacon.

There was almost no wind in the landing area during the night of Woomera the capsule’s return to Earth, making it possible to quickly identify the

specifi c drop-point zone with a high degree of accuracy and (All times are Japan Standard Time on June 13, 2010)

June 15 June 16 June 18 Surface cleaning and packing of the capsule Temporary clean room at the WPA Control Center

Capsule safety procedures At a temporary clean room at the WPA June 17 Control Center; the photograph shows the capsule with its underside cover removed.

Packing of the capsule Departure for Japan 2:15 WPA Control Center A charter aircraft with the capsule on Arrival at Sagamihara Campus Special container for board departs from a nearby airport. The The capsule is taken into the planetary sample curation transporting the capsule is fi lled non-stop fl ight arrives at Haneda Airport, facility. with nitrogen gas. Tokyo, late the same evening. Heat shield retrieval 15 JAXA TODAY No. 02

from among Hayabusa’s four ion engines. Hayabusa: A seven-year journey

Leveraging the lessons from Hayabusa into new projects 2003 May 9: Launched from the Uchinoura Space Center. The probe is named We aimed to drop the sample-return “Hayabusa.” capsule into the Woomera Prohib- ited Area (WPA) test range in South 2004 Australia. To enable this precise May 19: Successful acceleration for orbit transfer using the ion engines and target to be achieved, we performed an Earth gravity-assist swing-by. The M-V-5 Rocket lifts off at a trajectory correction maneuver 13:29:25. on June 9, 2010, at a distance of 2005 1.9 million kilometers from Earth. July 26: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi lifts off aboard Space Shuttle This maneuver marked the fi nal Discovery (touchdown on August 9). task for the ion engines. On June August 15: JAXA announces the failure of Hayabusa’s X-axis reaction wheel. 13, the sample-return capsule was September 12: Arrives at Itokawa asteroid. Commences scientifi c released and three hours later the observations. main body of Hayabusa encountered October 4: JAXA announces the failure of Hayabusa’s Y-axis reaction wheel. the Earth’s atmosphere and burned Hayabusa nears the Earth for November 4, 9 and 12: Performs touchdown rehearsals. its swing-by. November 20: Performs the fi rst touchdown and release of a target marker. up on reentry. The fi nal sight of (Image by Akihiro Ikeshita) Hayabusa—lighting up the night November 26: Performs second touchdown. After taking off again, Hayabusa sky over Australia—was both awe enters safe holding mode. inspiring and humbling. December 8: A fuel leak from a chemical engine causes a malfunction Initially we had contemplated and loss of correct attitude. JAXA announces a three-year postponement of purchasing the sample-return cap- Hayabusa’s return to Earth. Shortly thereafter, JAXA loses communication with sule’s heat shield—needed to protect the probe. it from the extreme heat generated Itokawa asteroid. Image captured on September 29, 2005. during reentry—from a manufac- 2006 turer in the United States. However, January 26: JAXA reestablishes partial communications with Hayabusa. after considering the core data the March 6: Hayabusa’s position and speed are precisely measured for the fi rst heat shield could provide, which time in three months. would have a signifi cant impact on June 2: Science runs a feature on asteroid Itokawa. future atmospheric reentry tech- nology, we decided to develop the Hayabusa captures an image 2007 of the target marker (inside January 18: Using the malfunctioning batteries, JAXA seals the sample- Hayabusa heat shield in-house. We the marked circle to the left of believe that this decision has proved Hayabusa’s shadow). return capsule. to be the right one. April: Commences the fi rst phase of trajectory maneuver operation (continues Although we encountered in- until October) in preparation for return to Earth. numerable problems along the way, after the completion of a seven-year, 2009 six-billion-kilometer journey and February: Commences the second phase of trajectory maneuver operation capping it off with a miraculous March 16: JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata lifts off aboard Space Shuttle return to Earth, we think it is fair Discovery (touchdown on July 31 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor). to say that Hayabusa was a space July 22: A total solar eclipse is observed in Japan for the fi rst time in 46 explorer endowed with great luck. years. Turning that luck into real-world Hayabusa and Itokawa feature November 4: JAXA announces that all ion engines have shut down and on the cover of Science. capabilities is our job from now on. reignition has not succeeded. We hope that many people in Japan November 19: Succeeds in the cross operation of ion engines. Commences and around the world will support the return to Earth. us in our new projects, which aim December 21: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi lifts off aboard Soyuz. to leverage and build on the lessons and success of Hayabusa. The 64-meter parabola antenna at 2010 Usuda Deep Space Center handled March 27: Completes the orbit transfer operation from Itokawa to Earth. communications with Hayabusa. Continuous operation of the ion engines is completed. April 5: JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki lifts off aboard Space Shuttle “Just in front of the scattering light trail made Discovery (touchdown on April 20). by Hayabusa, a single, small red light continued on—moving higher and higher—without April 16: JAXA receives landing permission from the Australian government. disappearing. It could be clearly seen until it Commences trajectory correction maneuver in preparation for reentry. too faded out, just above the Southern Cross. That small red light was the capsule released by May 21: Launch of the Venus explorer Akatsuki and the small solar power sail Hayabusa. I was sure that it had landed. Truly, an demonstrator IKAROS. incredible journey.” Preparations are being carried June 2: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi touches down aboard Soyuz. The text on page 10 and above is excerpted from: out for initial analysis work June 9: Completes trajectory correction maneuver in preparation for reentry. Shohwakusei Tansaki Hayabusa no Daibouken at the planetary sample Operation of the ion engines is completed. (Hayabusa’s Great Journey: The Adventure Tale of curation facility within JAXA’s Japan’s Asteroid Probe) Sagamihara Campus. June 13: Sample-return capsule returns to Earth. by Kazuma Yamane Published by Magazine House, Tokyo 16 Tokyo hosts International Space Station (ISS) heads of agency (HOA) meeting

Dr. Keiji Tachikawa Mr. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. Dr. Anatoly N. Perminov Mr. Jean-Jacques Dordain Dr. Steve MacLean President of the Japan Aerospace Administrator of the United States Head of the Russian Federal Director General of the European President of the Canadian Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) National Aeronautics and Space Space Agency (FSA) Space Agency (ESA) Agency (CSA) Administration (NASA) His previous roles have Prior to his current role, he Previous posts have included In 1983, he was selected as included President and CEO He served on four missions served as Commander-in- Director of Launchers at the one of Canada’s fi rst astro- of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. He aboard the space shuttle, Chief of the Russian Space ESA. He has held the role of nauts. He was appointed to was appointed to his current including as commander. He Force. He has been Head of Director General since 2003. his current post in 2008. position in November 2004. was appointed to his current the FSA since 2004. post in 2009.

cooperation and their outlook for the Tokyo hosts International Space future. Dr. MacLean of CSA said, “The partnerships forged through ISS cooperation will become a model Station (ISS) heads of agency for the future.” Mr. Dordain of ESA commented, “The ISS cooperation partnerships will continue beyond (HOA) meeting the ISS project.” Commenting on the Obama administration’s announce- ment that the fi scal year 2011 budget request includes funding to extend operation of the ISS to 2020, Mr. Bolden of NASA said, “If we extend the life of the ISS to 2020 or beyond, it will enable us to undertake the research necessary for Mars exploration.” Dr. Perminov of FSA stated, “We will utilize the Russian segment of the ISS effectively to conduct high-level space research.” He also announced plans for the construc- tion of the new Vostochny space port in the Amur region of Russia’s The panel discussion following the HOA meeting emphasized the importance of the partnership Far East. Dr. Tachikawa of JAXA between the participating countries. commented, “We will continue to build upon the technology developed The heads of the ISS agencies from Japan, the United through ISS cooperation. In the fu- ture, we hope to use the H-II Trans- States, Russia, Europe and Canada met in Tokyo on fer Vehicle (HTV) for the return of March 11, 2010, to review ISS cooperation. cargo to Earth and we see potential for the HTV to become the basis The meeting was attended by the completion, a joint statement issued for the development of a manned fi ve heads of agency, Dr. Keiji by the heads of agency following the vehicle. In looking toward opportu- Tachikawa, President of JAXA; Mr. meeting noted the outstanding op- nities to expand the utilization of Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Adminis- portunities now offered by the ISS the ISS, we proposed international trator of the National Aeronautics for on-orbit research and discovery. collaboration on experiments in such and Space Administration (NASA); They emphasized that this research fi elds as biosciences.” Mr. Dordain Dr. Anatoly N. Perminov, Head of will deliver benefi ts to humanity on also said, “I believe that wonderful the Russian Federal Space Agency Earth while preparing the way for ideas for the use of the ISS will also (FSA); Mr. Jean-Jacques Dordain, future exploration activities beyond emerge from countries that are not Director General of the European low-Earth orbit. represented here today.” The heads Space Agency (ESA); and Dr. Steve At the panel discussion that of agency all agreed on this point— MacLean, President of the Canadian followed the HOA meeting, each of they welcome participation in Space Agency (CSA). With the the agency heads offered their views the ISS program from as many assembly of the ISS nearing on the signifi cance of ISS countries as possible.

17 JAXA TODAY No. 02

JAXA promotes the use of space by countries in Asia and the Pacifi c: Space Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia-Pacifi c Region Mr. Chu Ishida Director, Space Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia Pacifi c Region, Space Applications Mission Directorate

“MICHIBIKI” in mid-2010. In doing so, Japan will join China and India as countries in Asia that operate global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). At APRSAF-16, we held a workshop on regional GNSS cooperation, which discussed potential applications combining the systems of countries in the region and beyond. As a result of this workshop, we are aiming to initiate a project on GNSS utilizing multiple satellites.

Sentinel Asia: Playing a Key Role in Disaster Monitoring The successful conclusion of APRSAF-16 in Bangkok. APRSAF-17 is scheduled to take place in Melbourne, Australia, on November 23–26, 2010. APRSAF was established in 1993 in response to the declaration adopted by the Asia-Pacifi c International Space Year Conference (APIC) in Q: Asia has a very large number of 1992, to enhance the development of each country's space program and exchange views on natural disasters compared with future cooperation in space activities in the Asia-Pacifi c region. other regions of the world, which URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/ makes the role of Sentinel Asia particularly vital. Were there any previously existing frameworks for The 16th Session of the Asia-Pacifi c Regional Space cooperation in this area? Agency Forum (APRSAF-16) was held in Bangkok, Thailand, January 26–29, 2010. We interviewed Ishida: When a disaster occurs, Chu Ishida, who is the Director of the Space it has been very diffi cult for individual countries to obtain Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia Pacifi c Region within timely and accurate information JAXA’s Space Applications Mission Directorate, about on the situation in affected APRSAF-16 and his offi ce’s activities. areas. Information provided from the Advanced Land Observing Space Technology Contributing (SAFE), which promotes new Satellite (ALOS) is extremely to Solutions for a Broad Array satellite applications relating to useful in rapidly gathering disaster of Issues the environment. Natural disasters information over a broad geographic and environmental problems in area. Immediately following the Q: What is the role of the Space Asia have an impact on Japan’s 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China, Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia economy and society. Hence, utilizing Japan led the world in providing Pacifi c Region? space technology in ways that can the data on the devastated area, contribute to solutions is recognized and China’s disaster relief agencies Ishida: The offi ce was established as a very important part of JAXA’s expressed their appreciation for in 2007 primarily to coordinate and overall organizational mission. this assistance. manage JAXA’s cooperation activities in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Since Q: In your opinion, what were the Q: What is JAXA’s role in Sentinel then, our activities have included particular highlights of APRSAF-16? Asia? international cooperation in the fi eld of small satellites, Sentinel Asia, and Ishida: JAXA plans to launch Ishida: JAXA plays a coordinating Space Applications for Environment the fi rst Quasi-Zenith Satellite role in the overall concept planning 18 JAXA promotes the use of space by countries in Asia and the Pacifi c: Space Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia-Pacifi c Region

the space environment, and space education. To achieve our objectives, we will collaborate with relevant organizations throughout the region to formulate plans and bring these plans to fruition. Furthermore, we will monitor the progress of our activities to identify and implement improvements. We want to utilize the experience we gain in future projects. These efforts aim to systematize the overall promotion of space utilization.

Images taken by ALOS of the area in Sichuan, China, devastated by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in May 2008. The left-hand image was taken before the earthquake struck, and the right-hand image was taken shortly after the earthquake. The image reveals the extent to which the town shown was engulfed by a landslide. http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/jaxas/pdf/jaxas031.pdf and design of the Sentinel Asia Q: How is the Satellite Technology system. This process aims to for the Asia-Pacifi c Region (STAR) respond effectively to the needs Program promoting the spread identifi ed by each participating of basic technology for small country. JAXA is also tasked satellites? with implementing the system through collaboration with all of Ishida: Responding to a high level the participating agencies. JAXA’s of interest and growing needs central role in Sentinel Asia refl ects in the Asia region relating to its position as the operator of ALOS, small satellites, Japan proposed which provides high-quality data. the STAR Program in 2008. As There are already high expectations a joint international project, the for ALOS2, the planned successor STAR Program got under way in APRSAF-16 discussed such issues as the use of satellites in dealing with to ALOS. June 2009 at JAXA’s Sagamihara environmental issues and promoting greater Campus. Several countries in the utilization of the space environment. An Expanding Range of Activities Asia-Pacifi c region are participating under the SAFE Project in this program, which is the fi rst of its kind in the world. Specifi cally, Overall Flow of Sentinel Asia Q: Please provide a brief overview the participating countries plan to Space agencies of the SAFE project. cooperate in fostering their human resources through the actual Ishida: SAFE is a project to development of small satellites. Earth observation facilitate the utilization of satellite data from ALOS data by governmental agencies Promoting the use of space in the and other satellites in the area of environmental Asia-Pacifi c region management. Participating countries use the data provided Q: Please outline your future goals through SAFE to monitor for cooperation in Asia. environmental problems and to assist in the formulation of policy Ishida: Many countries in Asia responses to such problems. SAFE wish to utilize space technology Platform for Capacity building was offi cially launched in 2008 sharing disaster in such areas as disaster and information JAXA, Asian at APRSAF-15, and has since environmental monitoring and Disaster Reduction expanded to cover a wide range land and resource management. Center (ADRC) and others of programs. These include water As technology advances, we are Digital Asia Capacity building resource management in Cambodia, seeing the burgeoning use of space related to disaster Real-time data distribution monitoring forest management in Laos, sea in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Hence, (satellite images) through level rise risk profi ling in Sri JAXA aims to comprehensively web-GIS platform Lanka, and drought monitoring in promote the utilization of space Indonesia. I believe that the role of throughout the region. This includes Disaster management agencies SAFE in contributing to solutions not only the use of images provided Disaster situation monitoring for regional environmental problems by Earth observation satellites will continue to grow. but also response to needs across Disaster prevention and management activities a broad range of fi elds, including Residents in disaster-affected areas of participating countries telecommunications, GNSS, use of 19 JAXA TODAY No. 02 JAXA’s frontier

JAXA and NASA sign Memorandum of Understanding on Global Precipitation Measurement project

Dr. Keiji Tachikawa, President of JAXA, and Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 31, 2009 (Japan Standard Time; JST), at the Kennedy Administrator Bolden (left) and President Space Center in Florida, the United States, for cooperation on the develop- Tachikawa at the signing ceremony ment and operation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) proj- ect. Under the GPM project, a core satellite will carry Dual-frequency GPM constellation support satellites Precipitation Radar (DPR) and a GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) and a constellation of satellites will carry GMI instruments to measure GPM core satellite global rainfall and other precipitation. The data obtained will be analyzed to provide more accurate global precipitation estimates than have been available to date.

DPR For further details, please refer to information provided on the JAXA web site: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/08/20090803_gpm_e.html Constellation of satellites in the GPM project

JAXA and the German Aerospace Center initiate cooperation in satellite-based disaster monitoring

JAXA President Dr. Keiji Tachikawa and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johann- Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Tokyo on August 21, 2009, to establish mu- tual cooperation on using satellites for disaster monitoring. The two agencies plan

Dr. Tachikawa (left) and Prof. Wörner sign to pursue cooperation by utilizing their respective on-orbit satellites, JAXA’s Advanced the Letter of Intent at a ceremony in Tokyo. Land Observation Satellite (ALOS) and DLR’s TerraSAR-X. JAXA and DLR will examine the potential for exchanging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and pursue collabora- tive research on SAR data application technology. SAR has the ability to provide Earth observation data during both day and night and under nearly all weather conditions.

For further details, please refer to information provided on the JAXA web site: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/08/20090824_dlr_e.html

Emergency observations by ALOS following the February 2010 earthquake in Chile

A major earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8.8 occurred off the coast of central Chile, approximately 325 kilometers southwest of the capital city of Santiago, on Febru- ary 27, 2010, at 3:34 p.m. (JST). The earthquake occurred at an estimated depth of By comparing the area marked by a yellow 35 kilometers. In response, JAXA performed emergency observations on February 27, ellipse—shown in the left-hand photograph March 1 and March 4 (all JST) using its Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). above—with the pre-earthquake image on the right-hand side, it is possible to observe JAXA provided the observation data taken by ALOS of an area approximately six kilo- changes in the shape of the shoreline, meters southwest of the coastal town of Pelluhue to overseas agencies responding to which are thought to be the result of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. 20 JAXA’s frontier

the disaster. The provision of disaster information is facilitated by JAXA’s membership in the International Charter Space and Major Disasters.

Public release of observation data from GOSAT and SELENE

JAXA has commenced the release of data to general users from one of its Earth obser- vation satellites, Greenhouse Gasses Observing Satellite (GOSAT), and its lunar explorer Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE). JAXA began releasing radiance spectra data and image data from GOSAT— commonly known as “Ibuki” in Japanese—following the completion of the satel- lite’s initial calibration. After registering at the GOSAT User Interface Gate- GOSAT User Interface Gateway operated way web site operated by the National Institute for Environmental Stud- by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) (http://data.gosat.nies.go.jp) ies (NIES), users may retrieve and order observation data of interest by specifying the observation area and period. JAXA has also commenced the public release of processed ob- servation data through the Internet from SELENE—known by its nickname “Kaguya” in Japan”—gathered by the explorer during its nominal operation phase from December 21, 2007 to October 31, 2008. Since JAXA is distributing cali- brated and validated data from SELENE’s science-mission instruments, the agency hopes that the data will become a valuable resource for researchers in lunar science-related fi elds. Simultaneously, JAXA began providing “KAGUYA 3D Moon NAVI” services, which deliver data from SELENE via the Internet using a three-dimensional (3-D) geographic KAGUYA 3D Moon NAVI (http://wms.selene. jaxa.jp/3dmoon_e/index_e.html) information system (GIS). JAXA plans to expand the SELENE Data Archive (http://www.soac. public release of data on an ongoing basis as more data selene.isas.jaxa.jp/archive/index.html.en) become available.

STAR Program gets underway as a joint international project for small satellite development

Since June 2009, the Satellite Technology for the Asia-Pacifi c Region (STAR) Program has been running at JAXA’s Sagamihara Campus near Tokyo. The program so far has attracted the participation of engineers from the space agencies of Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The program’s main objectives are • to provide an opportunity for space agencies in the Asia-Pacifi c region to build their human resources in the fi eld of satellite development: and STAR Program participants use a simulator during a workshop on satellite attitude • to increase the number of satellites available for Earth observation in the Asia-Pacifi c control systems. region, and respond to anticipated regional needs for future Earth observation. As part of the program, the participating countries plan to develop and launch small satellites. The program looks forward to the participation of more engineers from space agencies throughout the region, and welcomes inquiries regarding participation. For a detailed overview of the STAR Program, please refer to the following presentation material from APRSAF-16 (January 2010): http://www.aprsaf.org/data/aprsaf16_data/D3-1600-1_AP16_STAR.pdf For inquiries regarding participation in the STAR Program, please contact: Mr. Masanobu Tsuji, STAR Program Offi ce [email protected] Tel: +81-50-3362-4883

21 The Earth Seen from Space Hayabusa’s sample- return capsule swoops down over Australia

Hayabusa released its sample-return capsule over the South Australian desert, and shortly afterward the capsule landed inside the Woomera Prohibited Area. There are high expecta- tions that the capsule may contain a sample of material from the asteroid Itokawa.

Australia is a country blessed with a diverse array of natural beauty, from inland deserts to rainforests and beaches. Fraser Island (pictured) is one such natural wonder.

Photo taken by Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) (Daichi)/JAXA on September 28, 2008

Fraser Island, located in the middle of the east coast of Australia, is formed of sand. Sand from the east coast of Australia, eroded by heavy rain more than 140,000 years ago, was deposited off the east coast and created the “Sand Island.” (There is another view that the sands came from Antarctica.)

Fraser Island, with an area of 184,000 hectares, is 120 kilometers long from north to south, and 25 kilometers wide, east to west. It is located about 250 kilometers north of Brisbane, the third largest city in Australia. The island is mostly covered by tropical rainforests and looks green. Long sandy beaches surrounding the island and dotted sand dunes reveal that the island is made of sand.

Public Affairs Department

Marunouchi Kitaguchi Bldg.3F, 1-6-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8260, Japan

Phone: +81-3-6266-6400 Fax: +81-3-6266-6910

JAXA Web Site

http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

JAXA Latest Information Mail Service

http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/mail/index_e.html

Printed in Japan on recycled paper