[ISS / Japanese Experiment Module (KIBO)] UNOOSA and JAXA open Third round of KiboCUBE

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, UNOOSA, launched a three year “KiboCUBE” programme in September 2015, which offered developing countries the opportunity to deploy small satellites from Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on the International Space Station (ISS). This initiative aims to contribute to the technological advancement of space activities in developing countries, and its first and second round of applications have been conducted until now.
In the “Four Actions of Science and Technology Diplomacy to Implement the SDGs” produced under the Advisory Board for Promotion of Science and Technology Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), it is noted that the deployment of small satellites from Kibo will support the space technological development for emerging and developing countries. KiboCUBE is expected to also contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

On September 26, JAXA held a media briefing with UNOOSA in the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) at Adelaide, Australia. During the briefing, there was an announcement of the third round of KiboCUBE along with introduction of the programme.

Photo: Media Briefing at IAC 2017 in Adelaide September 26, 2017
Dr. Koichi Wakata, ISS Program Manager in JAXA (left), Mr. Luis Zea, Coordinators of the Project in Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (center), and Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA (right)

JAXA announces that the Epsilon 3 launch encapsulating the second Advance Satellite with New System Architecture for Observation (ASNARO-2) is scheduled on November 12, 2017. The launch window is 6 a.m. through 6:35 a.m., in Japan Standard time.
Epsilon launch is not new – the proceeding two were sent up to space. Epsilon 3 has had improved its mechanism for satellite separation. Preparation for the launch is underway.
On the day of the launch, there will be live feed from the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center. The details soon will begin to come out.

JAXA conducted a long-term experiment on mice under two different gravitational conditions – microgravity (μg) and artificial earth-gravity (1 g). This was JAXA’s first attempt using the newly developed mouse habitat cage units installed in the Centrifuge-equipped Biological Experiment Facility (Images) in the KIBO Experiment Module aboard the International Space Station. Following their 35-day habitation in space, JAXA, in collaboration with Tsukuba University and other academic institutions went through the analysis of the bone density and muscle mass of the space mice brought back to the Earth. μg mice experienced significant decreases in their bone density and muscle weights, which were not present in artificial 1 g mice. These data indicate that gravity determines the general body structure of animals. This result was derived through the comparison of the effects of altered gravitational conditions alone, eliminating other variations. At 10 a.m. (U.K. time), September 7, “Scientific Reports”, an online journal from the publishers of “Nature” published this research. The findings will advance space exploration and elucidate the evolutional process of animals on Earth, where the gravity is a principle force.

On July 12, 2017, an iceberg split off from Antarctica’s Larsen C iceberg. With use of ALOS-2’s wide-area observatory mode, JAXA was able to capture the entire calving image.
Larsen C, a floating platform of glacial ice on the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula, is among the largest ice shelves ringing Earth’s southernmost continent. The breakage, taking a chunk of its mass away from the Larsen C area, is now a matter of particular interest to glaciologists around the world, as it could also contribute to sea level rise.
In the past, partial fractures occurred in the area. However, the last calving event is incomparably massive, possibly causing the glaciers to accelerate that flow into Larsen C and more rifts to grow.
JAXA will continue the ALOS-2 operations to monitor the area.

JAXA announced the month-long project to invite the public to rename the Global Change Observation Mission – Climate (GCOM-C) and the Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS), both to launch together this fiscal year. After careful examination of the 12,895 applications, SHIKISAI, meaning colors in Japanese has been chosen as new name of GCOM-C, and likewise, TSUBAME, or swallow, of SLATS.
JAXA is sincerely grateful for the applications.
JAXA will update the SHIKISAI and TSUBAME missions. Continuous support by all is cordially appreciated.

JAXA is inviting all to write notes to cheer on the project members and the mission of Epsilon-3, to be launched this fiscal year.
The project members of the past series of Epsilon launches have drawn strength from the similar campaigns.
The notes sent to JAXA will be printed as part of the decal (sticker) attached to the body of the launch vehicle. JAXA appreciates the positive participation by many.

Application Deadline: 5 pm (JST), August 7, 2017
*The deadline has been changed.

The video of protein crystallization is up on Innovation Japan, Cabinet Secretariat’s website – conducted by JAXA’s astronaut Takuya Onishi in KIBO module on his last long term International Space Station expedition. JAXA’s strategic partnership with Japanese biopharma, PeptiDream Inc. has been crystallized into this innovative experiment under near zero G.

It is part of JAXA’s endeavor to help advance pharmaceutical research – our technology, business partnership and the hard-earned results are pushing back the frontiers in medicine.

Sayaka Wakayama (Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi), Teruhiko Wakayama (Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi), Sachiko Yano (Space Environment Utilization Center, JAXA) and other researchers examined the damage that irradiation causes to mouse spermatozoa held in Japanese KIBO experiment module aboard the International Space Station. Using freeze-dried spermatozoa, the research team produced healthy offspring, and thus accomplished the unprecedented feat in biological sciences.
Their results were nominated in “In This Issue” of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, and were published on the website on May 22, USA time/ at 4 am, May 23, Japan time.

On March 31, in Tanegashima Space Center, LE-9 engine for the new H3 type of launch vehicles was installed on the facility’s firing test stand used for liquid fuel boosters. The test schedule will be available on the website as soon as determined.

JAXA confirmed completion of the commissioning phase of ARASE, formerly known as ERG, Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace. ARASE has entered its science operations phase. The call was made as the following procedure took place as scheduled and was confirmed; the satellite post launch orbital systems are in place, their functions are determined as fine, all monitoring instruments are installed, and the motions of the monitoring equipment are checked.
ARASE is in good condition, with all its onboard apparatus for science observations performing well since activated.

On March 26, Tanegashima space museum will reopen after its first renovation in 20 years.
Among its new attractions are Liftoff Theater where visitors watch dynamic rocket launches, Kibo Photo Spot where photos can be taken that resemble zero gravity, and Rocket Garage where H-II Rocket No. 7 and other launch vehicles are on display.
The exhibition space of Masuda Tracking and Communication Station has also been updated.
JAXA cordially welcomes visitors.

Global sea ice extent hit record low, according to observations from Shizuku on Global Change Observation Mission on January 14, 2017. It is all time low in the history of GCOM-W operation that started in 1978, JAXA continues operation of Shizuku and GCOM-C and monitoring arctic sea ice extent, off the coast of Greenland Sea and the rest of the arctic circle.
Related information is also available at the following links:

Global sea ice extent hit record low, according to observations from Shizuku on Global Change Observation Mission on January 14, 2017. It is all time low in the history of satellite operation that started in 1978, JAXA continues operation of Shizuku and GCOM-C and monitoring arctic sea ice extent, off the coast of Greenland Sea and the rest of the arctic circle.
Related information is also available at the following links:

The KOUNOTORI6 (HTV6, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) left the ISS on Jan. 28 and re-entered the atmosphere at around 0:06 a.m. on Feb. 6 (Japan Standard Time.)
KOUNOTORI6 successfully completed its cargo supply mission to the ISS.

On January 16, 2017, from 6:10 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. (Japan time), a total of six microsatellites abroad HTV6 were successfully deployed into orbit from the Japanese Experiment Module (“Kibo”).
These CubeSats were discharged on December 9 aboard the H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI6 and arrived at the ISS on December 14 ,2016.
On December 19, STARS-C CubeSat was also deployed from KIBO.

At 3:25 p.m., (Japan Standard Time) January 10, 2017, JAXA terminated its Engineering Test Satellite-VIII KIKU No.8 (ETS-III) transmission, thus brought a closure to the satellite’s operation.
KIKU No. 8 was built for demonstration and experiment, with the purpose of improvement of mobile communications system. When Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 broke out, the satellite did the much needed service of providing the internet access for the afflicted region.
Launched on December 18, 2006, KIKU No. 8 marked its 3-year mission period and on December 18, 2016, completed its 10-year design life. The satellite’s fuel ran low that controlled its attitude and orbit after the decade long operation. In addition, an outdated satellite lying in space can undermine the operation of others. Therefore JAXA made a call to discontinue using the probe. KIKU No. 8 was thrown out of its stationary orbit and ceased to function.