ETS 7
Also called Kiku 7, the two units are called Orihime and Hikoboshi
ETS 7 is composed of a chase satellite and a target satellite. Its objectives
are to carry out experiments to confirm the basic technologies for
rendezvous-docking and space robotics. It will enable future Japanese supply
missions to dock reliably with the International Space Station.
Success in orbit will be reliant on an internal navigation system which
contains three sensors. A GPS receiver will be used to compute the relative
positions and speeds of the separated satellite units from 10 km out to the 600
meter final approach stage. The rendezvous laser radar (LR) will then take
over, computing the target satellite's position and azimuth from 660 to 2
meters, whereupon the proximity sensor will make final attitude and positional
adjustments. Of the three sensing systems, the LR and the proximity sensor
represent cutting-edge technology.
Had solar panel problems right after launch. This was solved quickly but an
automatic shutdown occured on Nov 30. In Aug 1999 it was reported that the
target had once been successfully released and automatically regrabbed by the
robot. Two others rendezvous & docking were performed correctly and several
other experiments including remote-piloting and collision-avoidance were
performed.
The satellite achieved: automatic rendezvous and docking of two unmanned
satellites, remotely controlled rendezvous from the Earth station,
satellite-borne robot systema and automatic capture of a satellite with a robot
arm.
Target - Orihime
Designation: 25424 / 97074E
Transmits on 2.22 GHz
Out
of service
|
Dec
1999
|
Cause
|
end
of mission
|
Decay
|
13
Nov 2015
|
http://oss1.tksc.nasda.go.jp/pr/index_e.html
sat-index articles
Prime
contractor
|
Toshiba
|
Platform
|
|
Mass
at launch
|
2950
kg (chaser: 2540 kg, target: 410 kg)
|
Mass
in orbit
|
|
Dimension
|
|
Solar
array
|
|
Stabilization
|
3-axis
|
DC
power
|
|
Design
lifetime
|
1.5
years
|
Will use
Comets
to demonstrate inter-orbit links. Transmits on 2.27699 & 2.04425 GHz
The docking system was developed by Mitsubishi.