SLATS

Super Low Altitude Test Satellite
Also called Tsubame

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General

Designation	43066 / 17082B
Launch date	23 Dec 2017
Country of origin	Japan
Mission	Remote sensing
Perigee/Apogee	271.5 km
Inclination	98.3°
Period	95.4 min
Launch vehicle	H2A #50

The satellite will use an optical sensor in orbit lower than 300 km, benefiting from high resolution observations, low power transmissions for active sensors, and cost reductions for satellite manufacturing and launches.
A satellite in a super low orbit like SLATS will be exposed to air resistance, which is approximately 1,000 times greater than that of most Earth observation satellites at an altitude of 600 to 800 km. Consequently, this type of satellite will require a greater amount of fuel than conventional satellites. In order to solve the atmospheric drag issue, JAXA has adopted an ion engine. The ion engine uses fuel 10 times more efficiently than gas jets.

Lowest altitude maintained was 167.4 km

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End of life

Out of service
Cause
Decay	1 Oct 2019

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External resources

http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/slats/

sat-index articles

n2yo.com tracking

Technical data

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Specifications

Prime contractor	JAXA
Platform
Mass at launch	400 kg
Dry mass
Dimension
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power	1140 W
Design lifetime	2 years

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