Institute for Unmanned Space Experiment Free Flyer
Encyclopedia
The is a Japanese space agency, which was founded by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
in 1986. Unlike NASDA
, ISAS
, and NAL, it was not included in the 2003 founded JAXA organization. USEF is run as a Non Profit Organization. Chairman is Ichiro Taniguchi.
), robotics, material sciences and technology for optical earth observations.
, the M-3S or Russian rockets so far. However in 2008 METI mentioned about the possibility of USEF developing an air launched vehicle for small payloads.
of Germany. Launch vehicle was the M-3S on January 15, 1995. However due to a problem with the rocket, the orbit was much lower than planned. The re-entry capsule was found later in Ghana
.
launch vehicle. Mission duration was two years.
on September 10, 2002. The aim of the mission were microgravity experiments to perform Super-conductor Material Processing Experiment and also testing of satellite bus technologies. For the first part of the mission USERS carried a return capsule. It was retrieved successfully on May 29, 2003. The mission of the main orbiter ended through re-entry in 2007.
project to test docking technology in the 1990s.
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry was one of the most powerful agencies of the Government of Japan. At the height of its influence, it effectively ran much of Japanese industrial policy, funding research and directing investment...
in 1986. Unlike NASDA
National Space Development Agency of Japan
of Japan, or NASDA, was a Japanese national space agency established on October 1, 1969 under the National Space Development Agency Law only for peaceful purposes...
, ISAS
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
is a Japanese national research organization of astrophysics using rockets, astronomical satellites and interplanetary probes. It is a division of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency .- History :...
, and NAL, it was not included in the 2003 founded JAXA organization. USEF is run as a Non Profit Organization. Chairman is Ichiro Taniguchi.
Aim
The aim of USEF is technology development, especially the testing of Commercial off the shelve parts (COTSCommercial off-the-shelf
In the United States, Commercially available Off-The-Shelf is a Federal Acquisition Regulation term defining a nondevelopmental item of supply that is both commercial and sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace, and that can be procured or utilized under government contract...
), robotics, material sciences and technology for optical earth observations.
Launch Vehicle
Unlike the JAXA organisation USEF doesn't have its own launch vehicle. Instead it used either the H-IIAH-IIA
H-IIA is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency . The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch an interplanetary...
, the M-3S or Russian rockets so far. However in 2008 METI mentioned about the possibility of USEF developing an air launched vehicle for small payloads.
Express
An 745 kg (1,642 lb) satellite for microgravity experiments and testing of re-entry technologies. The project was done in cooperation with ISAS (now JAXA) and DLRGerman Aerospace Center
The German Aerospace Center is the national centre for aerospace, energy and transportation research of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has multiple locations throughout Germany. Its headquarters are located in Cologne. It is engaged in a wide range of research and development projects in...
of Germany. Launch vehicle was the M-3S on January 15, 1995. However due to a problem with the rocket, the orbit was much lower than planned. The re-entry capsule was found later in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
Servis 1
An 840 kg (1,851 lb) technology test mission for COTS parts. It was launched on October 30, 2001 with the Russian RockotRockot
The Rokot , also transliterated as a the pun Rockot, is a Russian space launch vehicle that can launch a payload of 1,950 kilograms into a 200 kilometre high Earth orbit with 63° inclination. It is a derivative of the UR-100N intercontinental ballistic missile , supplied and operated by Eurockot...
launch vehicle. Mission duration was two years.
USERS
It was launched with the H-IIAH-IIA
H-IIA is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency . The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch an interplanetary...
on September 10, 2002. The aim of the mission were microgravity experiments to perform Super-conductor Material Processing Experiment and also testing of satellite bus technologies. For the first part of the mission USERS carried a return capsule. It was retrieved successfully on May 29, 2003. The mission of the main orbiter ended through re-entry in 2007.
Servis 2
An 900 kg (1,984 lb) technology test mission for COTS parts. It will continue the experiments done with the first satellite. It was launched on June 2, 2010, 01:59 UTC with the Russian Rockot launch vehicle.Asnaro
Asnaro is a 450 kg (992 lb) earth observation satellite. The planned resolution is less than 0.5 meter (1.6 ft) from an SSO orbit. Launch is planned for 2011. However no launch vehicle is chosen yet.Asnaro 2
Asnaro 2 is small x-band radar satellite for earth observation. Launch is planned for 2013.Other technology projects
USEF developed the robotic arm of the ETS-VIIETS-VII
The ETS-VII, or Engineering Test Satellite No. 7, was a satellite developed and launched by the National Space Development Agency of Japan . It is also known as KIKU-7. It was launched aboard an H-II rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, on 28 November 1997...
project to test docking technology in the 1990s.