Leonid Meteor Observer in LEO: Leonid Meteor Observer in LEO: A Proposal for a University A Proposal for a University Microsatellite Microsatellite for the 2001 for the 2001 Leonids Leonids Kazuya Yoshida* Hajime Yano** *Tohoku University **Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) JAPAN
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Leonid Meteor Observer in LEO:Leonid Meteor Observer in LEO:A Proposal for a UniversityA Proposal for a University
MicrosatelliteMicrosatellite for the 2001 for the 2001 LeonidsLeonids
Kazuya Yoshida*
Hajime Yano**
*Tohoku University
**Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
JAPAN
AbstractAbstractResearchers in Tohoku University and ISAS of Japan with
their international partners are now putting a proposal for auniversity student-built, "bottle-sized" micro-satellite forobservation of the 2001 Leonid meteor shower from thelow Earth orbit. The satellite is as small as a pet bottle tobe launched as a piggy-back payload of commercial rocketlauncher, only a few weeks before the Leonid meteormaximum. It contains all the telemetry, solar powergenerator, thermal control system, attitude control systemas well as scientific instruments including a visible-ultraviolet region photometry camera to conduct bright meteorcounts in the large coverage of the night sky looked downon the earth and a UV spectrograph. This presentationoutlines a mission profile with scientific and educationalobjectives. Sponsors and new partners in the project aremost welcome.
The ProposalThe Proposal
• Make scientific observation of the 2001 Leonids meteorshower from the low Earth orbit.
• Out of atmosphere, the UV photometry & spectrographsare featured, the meteor impact on the satellite hardwareis evaluated, and a spectacular view of the downstreamshower is photographed.
• The satellite(s) will be built by international universitystudents, suitable for a piggy-back launch, cost effective& quick development, and maximizing scientific andeducational objectives.
Scientific GoalsScientific Goals
l Count various brightness of meteors in the largecoverage of the night sky looked down on Earth.
l Obtain visible-Ultra Violet images and spectrographsof the meteors and persistent trains, at the highaltitude of the atmosphere.
l Establish three dimensional observation with groundbased observers, for better trajectory identificationand 3D imaging (shape and motion) of a longenduring train.
Look up the Leonids meteor shower! © 2000 The Space Robotics Lab, Tohoku University
© 2000 The Space Robotics Lab, Tohoku University
The Leonids observer will fly through the meteor stream.The meteors will not glow out of the atmosphere, this pictureis for an artist’s impression.
© 2000 The Space Robotics Lab, Tohoku University
When you look down the meteor shower,you’ll find them convergent, opposite tothe radiant. The spectacular view obtainedonly from the out of the atmosphere.
Satellite DesignSatellite Designl As small as the size of a pet-bottle.
l Solar power plus primary (Li-ion) batteries.
l Mission life: one to several weeks
l As simple as possible in attitude stabilization, bymeans of gravity gradient torques, a passive nutationdamper, and/or a magnetic torquer.
cf. the X-configuration in DODGE satellite, 1967
l UHF/VHF for the command and telemetry. Middle-gain omuni-antenna for the photo image downlink.GPS for the position and attitude determination.
Possible design ofthe satellite
The OrbitThe Orbit
l LEO at the altitude of around 300 km orless, as low as good for a few weeks ofmission life.
l Inclination around 35-40 degrees, for theground coverage of Japan, USA, and SouthEurope.
Background and CurrentBackground and CurrentActivitiesActivities
l Satellite Design Contest Japan Students of Tohoku University were awarded for the idea
of the leonids observer in the 1999 contest.
l University Space System Symposium A US-Japan collaboration frame work for the students
satellite development and launch, where the leonidsobserver was proposed and an international team effort isbeing organized.
l CanSat, S-cube Sat., and BottleSat… A quick step-by-step approach for the USSS participating
students to establish hands-on experiences, from a soda-can sized micro satellite to a bottle size, and larger.
Call for SponsorCall for Sponsor
lWe need your substantial help!– Launch vehicle on time for the 2001 shower
– Funding to support the satellite development
– A world-wide satellite tracking and telemetry
lWhat is the possible return to thesponsors?– Scientific raw data and premier photo images
– Engineering raw data for the meteor impact on thesatellite
– Science and technical reports
– World-wide public recognition through press releases andweb-site banners
Contact and more informationContact and more informationl Kazuya YOSHIDA
a person in charge of the mission proposal.
Dr. Eng. Associate Professor of Tohoku University, Japan.The Space Robotics Lab, Dept. of Aeronautics and Space Engineering.
l Hajime YANOa person in charge of the scientific aspect.
Ph.D. in Space Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K.Assistant Professor, Planetary Science Division,Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Kanagawa, Japan
E-mail: [email protected] http://www.astro.mech.tohoku.ac.jp/leonids
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