PETREL (Platform for Extra and Terrestrial Remote Examination with LCTF) is a technology demonstration satellite being developed by Tokyo Institute of Technology. The microsatellite is equipped with a multispectral camera, which will be used to carry out two distinct missions. One mission is to survey the sky in ultraviolet wavelengths for the field of time-domain astronomy, and the other is to conduct spectroscopic observations of the Earth.[2] PETREL was originally planned to be launched on a Epsilon rocket flight in 2022 along with the rest of JAXA's Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3 mission satellites, but was not launched. As of September 2024, PETREL is scheduled to be launched during fiscal year 2025 on the first H3-30 test flight.[1]
Overview
PETREL's role differs depending on its position in orbit: while inside Earth's shadow it will conduct astronomical observations, and while outside it will function as an Earth observation satellite.[2][3]
PETREL will conduct wide field observations in ultraviolet, which will work in tandem with ground-based observatories to study time-domain multi-messenger astronomy. PETREL is a pathfinder for the ULTRASAT mission.[4]
As an Earth observation satellite, PETREL will perform multispectral observation of both the land and seas to acquire data for use in agriculture and aquaculture.[5] PETREL's ocean observation will measure the level of plankton and nutrients in the waters, which the aquaculture industry will utilize to help ensure a stable amount of catches.[6]
See also
- HIBARI (satellite) – Japanese microsatellite
- Odin (satellite) – Swedish satellite
References
- ^ a b "H3ロケット30形態試験機の打上げ計画及び超小型衛星相乗りの実施について" [Launch plan for H3-30 rocket configuration test vehicle and piggybacking of ultra-small satellites] (PDF). MEXT (in Japanese). 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b "About This Project" (in Japanese). Tokyo Institute of Technology. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "超小型衛星による宇宙科学" (in Japanese). Tokyo Institute of Technology. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "日本が関与する飛翔体を用いた高エネルギー天体物理学のロードマップ検討まとめ" (PDF) (in Japanese). High Energy AstroPhysics Association in Japan. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ ""PETREL" a small satellite project of JAXA's Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration program" (in Japanese). Tokyo Institute of Technology. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "UMITRON in cooperation with the Tokyo Institute of Technology was selected for the 3rd JAXA Innovative Satellite Demonstration program to launch a small satellite in 2022 with the mission to gather ocean observations for aquaculture" (Press release). Umitron. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
External links
- Project PETREL - Tokyo Institute of Technology
- PETREL
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