An Overview and Initial In-Orbit Status Of “Index” Satellite

Presenter Information

Hirobumi Saito, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Takahide Mizuno, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Koji Tanaka, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Yoshitsugu Sone, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Seisuke Fukuda, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Shin-ichiro Sakai, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Nobukatsu Okuizumi, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Makoto Mita, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Yosuke Fukushima, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Masafumi Hirahara, Rikkyo University
Kazushi Asamura, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Takeshi Sakanoi, Tohoku University
Akira Miura, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Toshinori Ikenaga, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Yasunari Masumoto, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Session

Session IV: The Past & Coming Years

Abstract

INDEX ( REIMEI ) is a small satellite with 72kg mass, and is provided with three-axis attitude controlled capabilities for aurora observation. REIMEI was launched into a nearly sun synchronous polar orbit on Aug. 23rd, 2005 (UT) from Baikonur, Kazakhstan by Dnepr rocket. REIMEI satellite functions works satisfactorily in the orbit. Three axis control is achieved with accuracy of 0.05 deg. Multi-spectrum images of aurora are taken with 8Hz rate and 2 km spatial resolution and are being analyzed to investigate the aurora physics.