PETREL
| Names | Platform for Extra and Terrestrial Remote Examination with LCTF |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 12 June 2026 |
| Rocket | H3-30 |
| Launch site | Tanegashima Space Center |
| Contractor | JAXA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit (planned) |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Instruments | |
| Multispectral cameras | |
PETREL (Platform for Extra and Terrestrial Remote Examination with LCTF) is a technology demonstration satellite built by Tokyo Institute of Technology and launched in June 2026.[1] The microsatellite is equipped with a multispectral camera, which will be used to carry out two distinct missions. One mission is to survey the sky in ultraviolet wavelengths for the field of time-domain astronomy, and the other is to conduct spectroscopic observations of the Earth.[2] PETREL is a pathfinder for the ULTRASAT mission.[3]
Overview
[edit]PETREL's role differs depending on its position in orbit: while inside Earth's shadow it's mission is to conduct astronomical observations, and while outside, to function as an Earth observation satellite.[2][4] PETREL is designed to conduct wide field observations in ultraviolet, working in tandem with ground-based observatories to study time-domain multi-messenger astronomy.
As an Earth observation satellite, PETREL is designed to perform multispectral observation of both the land and seas to acquire data for use in agriculture and aquaculture.[5] PETREL's ocean observation are focused on measuring the level of plankton and nutrients in the waters. These data may be used by the aquaculture industry to help ensure a stable amount of catches.[6]
Launch
[edit]PETREL was originally planned to be launched on a Epsilon rocket flight in 2022 along with the rest of JAXA's Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3 mission satellites, but was not launched. As of September 2024, PETREL was scheduled to be launched during fiscal year 2025 on the first H3-30 test flight.[7] The launch was later moved to 2026[8] and the satellite was launched on 12 June 2026.[1]
See also
[edit]
- HIBARI (satellite) – Japanese microsatellite
- Odin (satellite) – Swedish satellite with radiometer, launched in 2001
References
[edit]- 1 2 published, Josh Dinner (12 June 2026). "Japan's H3 rocket bounces back from failure with successful return to flight launch carrying 6 satellites". Space. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- 1 2 "About This Project" (in Japanese). Tokyo Institute of Technology. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ↑ "日本が関与する飛翔体を用いた高エネルギー天体物理学のロードマップ検討まとめ" (PDF) (in Japanese). High Energy AstroPhysics Association in Japan. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ↑ "超小型衛星による宇宙科学" (in Japanese). Tokyo Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ↑ ""PETREL" a small satellite project of JAXA's Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration program" (in Japanese). Tokyo Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ↑ "UMITRON in cooperation with the Tokyo Institute of Technology was selected for the 3rd JAXA Innovative Satellite Demonstration program to launch a small satellite in 2022 with the mission to gather ocean observations for aquaculture" (Press release). Umitron. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ↑ "H3ロケット30形態試験機の打上げ計画及び超小型衛星相乗りの実施について" [Launch plan for H3-30 rocket configuration test vehicle and piggybacking of ultra-small satellites] (PDF). MEXT (in Japanese). 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ↑ "H3-30 Test Flight | H3-30S | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
External links
[edit]- Project PETREL - Tokyo Institute of Technology
- PETREL
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