Cosmic-ray Research Division
Institute for Space–Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University

Nano/Micro Satellites

Involving Research Members

Professor Hiroyasu TAJIMA
Designated Assoc. Prof. Kazutaka YAMAOKA
  1. Development of 50-kg-Class, Micro-Satellite ChubuSat
  2. Development of integrated circuits for instrument for orbital and suborbital observations

Development of 50-kg-Class, Micro-Satellite ChubuSat

Microsatellites are expected to enable verification of instruments based on challenging technologies and to create new industrial applications of satellites, which will stimulate aerospace industry in Chubu (central Japan) region. The second satellite whose mission includes observations of solar neutrons is launched in February 17, 2016.

ChubuSat-2 attached to the rocket
ChubuSat-2 attached to the rocket (Credit: JAXA)

Development of integrated circuits for instrument for orbital and suborbital observations

One of common issues for orbital and suborbital observations is reducing power consumption of electronics. We have been developing multi channel and low power integrated circuit with high functionalities together with the Center for Orbital and Suborbital Observations of ISEE. Our integrated circuits have been employed by Hitomi X-ray satellite, solar flare observation rocket and balloon experiments, FOXSI and GRIPS, and ERG geospace exploration satellite. Currently, we are developing low power and high speed integrated circuits for photon sensors.

Photos of semiconductor sensors with integrated circuits developed by us
Photos of semiconductor sensors with integrated circuits developed by us. From left, sensors for Hard X-ray Imager and Soft Gamma-ray Detector onboard Hitomi satellite (Credit: ISAS/JAXA), hard X-ray imager of FOXSI (Credit: SSL/UC Berkeley) and High Energy Particle instrument for electrons onboard ERG satellite (Credit: ISAS/JAXA).