Taiwan and Japan are working together to develop a miniaturized satellite scheduled to be launched into space in 2022. The announcement was made by Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO) on Monday.
The project is called “6U Fast Validation CubeSat” and is a joint venture between the NSPO and University of Tokyo’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. NSPO said the project is part of the third phase of its space program. The aim of the project is to design high-resolution optical remote sensors and optical mechanical systems that will be installed on high-resolution optical remote sensing satellites in the future. The University of Tokyo is responsible for the design of the CubeSat itself.
A CubeSat is a type of mini satellite for space research that is made up of 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm cubic units. The small satellite is very cost effective and ideal for academic use. The 6U, or six units CubeSat, will measure 36.6 centimeters long, 22.6 cm wide and 10 cm tall.
The NSPO said two Japanese space service companies, Edge Lab Co. Ltd. and Space BD, will be responsible for sending CubeSat into space.
The 6U CubeSat is scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station in mid-2022 and will be deployed at an orbital altitude of 380-420 km.