A prototype of satellite 'Negai' build by the students of Soka University. Photo: JAXA
TOKYO (KYODO): The location of three out of four mini satellites developed by Japanese students and launched by a rocket carrying a planetary probe last week, are unknown, officials at Science Ministry has said.
Aerospace Development Committee officials said on Wednesday that only Soka University students are able to receive radio signals from their satellite 'Negai' which was delivered into space on Friday along with Venus probe Akatsuki and three other satellites developed by universities and technical college students.
Kagoshima University received radio signals shortly after the launch of KSAT satellite but was unable to confirm whether it came from same satellite. The university has had no contact with the satellite since then.
A group of students from 22 universities and technical colleges across Japan has jointly developed Shin-en satellite. After the satellites were launched the students detected signals only once before losing the contact with it.
Waseda University has only detected very weak signals and found it difficult to confirm whether its satellite WASEDASAT2 is in orbit.
As part of experiments in the country's space development programme, the satellites were launched along with Akatsuki and a "space yacht" Ikaros, which will be propelled using radiation from sunlight, on an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article