Nano-JASMINE

Summary

The Nano-Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration (Nano-JASMINE) is an astrometric microsatellite developed by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, with contributions by the University of Tokyo's Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (ISSL). As of 2015, the satellite was planned for launch together with CHEOPS (Characterising Exoplanets Satellite)[3][4] in 2019.[5] However, this launch took place in December 2019 without Nano-JASMINE as one of the three piggyback payloads. Some sources named 2022 as the launch year of the satellite.[6]

Nano-JASMINE
NamesNano-Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration
Mission typeAstrometric observatory
OperatorNational Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Mission duration2 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerUniversity of Tokyo,
Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (ISSL)
Launch mass35 kg (77 lb)
Dimensions50.8 × 50.8 × 51.2 cm (20.0 × 20.0 × 20.2 in)
Power20 watts
Start of mission
Launch dateTBD
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
Perigee altitude800 km (500 mi)
Apogee altitude800 km (500 mi)
Main telescope
TypeRitchey–Chrétien telescope[1]
Diameter5.25 cm (2.07 in) [2]
Focal length167 cm (66 in)
Wavelengths600–1000 nm
JASMINE program
(Small-)JASMINE →
 

Spacecraft edit

Nano-JASMINE is a microsatellite measuring 50.8 × 50.8 × 51.2 cm (20.0 × 20.0 × 20.2 in) and weighing approximately 35 kg (77 lb).[1] It carries a small, 5.25 cm (2.07 in) Ritchey–Chrétien telescope that will make observations in the infrared spectrum, allowing for easier observation toward the centre of the Milky Way.[2] Its exterior is covered with Gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells providing approximately 20 watts of power.[1] Due to limited bandwidth, Nano-JASMINE will employ a Star Image Extractor (SIE) for onboard raw image processing that will extract and transmit only specific object data.[7]

Overview edit

Nano-JASMINE is Japan's first and the world's third astrometric survey spacecraft, following Hipparcos (1989) and Gaia (2013), both launched by the European Space Agency (ESA). It is the pathfinder in a planned series of three spacecraft of increasing size and capability; the second is (originally and officially still called "Small-JASMINE") with a 30 cm (12 in) telescope, and the third is JASMINE with an 80 cm (31 in) telescope.[8][9]

The spacecraft is designed to have an astrometric accuracy (2–3 mas (milli-arcsecond) for stars brighter than 7.5 magnitude) comparable to Hipparcos (1 mas). Nano-JASMINE should be able to detect approximately four times the number of stars as Hipparcos. Given the time difference between these missions, combining the data sets of Nano-JASMINE and Hipparcos will constrain the positions of stars whose current positions are poorly known owing to uncertainty in their motion since being measured by Hipparcos, and should provide an order-of-magnitude increase in the accuracy of proper motion measurements (approximately 0.1 mas/year; 0.2 mas/year for stars brighter than 9 magnitude).[2]

Nano-JASMINE had been scheduled for launch aboard a Tsyklon-4 launch vehicle from the Brazilian Space Agency's Alcântara Launch Center (CLA). The launch was originally contracted for August 2011,[10] but was delayed to the November 2013 to March 2014 time frame.[2][8] Various issues have held back its launch, first due to delays in both the construction of the launch site and development of the launch vehicle, and later due to Brazil backing out of the Tsyklon-4 partnership with Ukraine leading to the rocket's indefinite hold.[11][12] In March 2015, talks to arrange a flight for Nano-JASMINE began between NAOJ and ESA.[3] It was to be launched as a piggyback payload with CHEOPS on a Soyuz launch vehicle [4][13] in 2019.[5][14] As of late 2020, the launch of Nano-JASMINE is foreseen in 2022.

Nano-JASMINE is to be succeeded by a larger spacecraft, JASMINE (formerly "Small-JASMINE"), which is planned to be launched in 2028 by an Epsilon launch vehicle.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Nano-JASMINE". eoPortal. European Space Agency. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Yamada, Yoshiyuki; Fujita, Sho; Gouda, Naoteru; et al. (February 2013). "Scientific goals of Nano-JASMINE". Advancing the Physics of Cosmic Distances, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 289: 429–432. Bibcode:2013IAUS..289..429Y. doi:10.1017/S1743921312021886.
  3. ^ a b Gouda, N. (15 September 2015). 小型JASMINE計画 (PDF). GOPIRA Symposium 2015 14–16 September 2015 Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan (in Japanese). Group of Optical and Infrared Astronomers. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b Yamada, Yoshiyuki (2015). Gaia validation by Nano-JASMINE data (PDF). GENIUS Mid Term Review Meeting 20 November 2015 Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Exoplanet mission launch slot announced". ESA. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  6. ^ Gouda, Naoteru (2011). "Jasmine". Scholarpedia. 6 (10): 12021. Bibcode:2011SchpJ...612021G. doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.12021.
  7. ^ Yamauchi, M.; Gouda, N.; Kobayashi, Y.; et al. (July 2008). "A Star Image Extractor for the Nano-JASMINE satellite". A Giant Step: From Milli- to Micro-arcsecond Astrometry, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 248: 294–295. Bibcode:2008IAUS..248..294Y. doi:10.1017/S1743921308019388.
  8. ^ a b Gouda, N.; et al. (29 August 2012). Present status of JASMINE projects (PDF). 28th International Astronomical Union General Assembly 20–31 August 2012 Beijing, China.
  9. ^ "JASMINE mission" (PDF). Group of Optical and Infrared Astronomers. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Nano-JASMINE Launch Contract". University of Tokyo. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  11. ^ Krebs, Gunter (28 February 2017). "Nano-JASMINE". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  12. ^ de Selding, Peter B. (16 April 2015). "Brazil Pulling Out of Ukrainian Cyclone-4 Launcher Project". SpaceNews. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  13. ^ Bauer, Markus (11 July 2014). "CHEOPS exoplanet mission meets key milestones en route to 2017 launch". European Space Agency. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Ready for testing electromagnetic compatibility". CHEOPS. University of Berne. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  15. ^ "JASMINE(赤外線位置天文観測衛星)で拓く天の川中心核と地球型惑星の探査" [JASMINE (Infrared Astrometry Satellite) will pioneer the exploration of the Milky Way's core and terrestrial planets] (PDF). NAOJ News (in Japanese). No. 332. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. 1 March 2021. p. 6. ISSN 0915-8863. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

External links edit

  • JASMINE project website Archived 8 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine at JASMINE-Galaxy.org
  • Nano-JASMINE website by the University of Tokyo