50kg-class Deep Space Exploration Technology Demonstration Micro-spacecraft PROCYON
Abstract
University of Tokyo and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are developing a 50kg-class microspacecraft named “PROCYON” for deep space exploration. PROCYON will conduct two missions: 1) demonstration of micro-spacecraft bus system for deep space exploration, and 2) demonstration of asteroid close flyby observation. In order to develop the spacecraft with very low cost (less than a few million dollars), most of the bus system is based on that of Earth-orbiting micro satellite, excluding the communication system and propulsion system which are newly developed for the deep space mission. PROCYON is scheduled to be launched at the end of 2014 together with Japanese second asteroid sample return spacecraft Hayabusa-2. The success of PROCYON will demonstrate that a small-scale spacecraft for deep space exploration can be built with very low cost, which will enable more frequent and challenging deep space exploration.
50kg-class Deep Space Exploration Technology Demonstration Micro-spacecraft PROCYON
University of Tokyo and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are developing a 50kg-class microspacecraft named “PROCYON” for deep space exploration. PROCYON will conduct two missions: 1) demonstration of micro-spacecraft bus system for deep space exploration, and 2) demonstration of asteroid close flyby observation. In order to develop the spacecraft with very low cost (less than a few million dollars), most of the bus system is based on that of Earth-orbiting micro satellite, excluding the communication system and propulsion system which are newly developed for the deep space mission. PROCYON is scheduled to be launched at the end of 2014 together with Japanese second asteroid sample return spacecraft Hayabusa-2. The success of PROCYON will demonstrate that a small-scale spacecraft for deep space exploration can be built with very low cost, which will enable more frequent and challenging deep space exploration.
