STARS (KUKAI)

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STARS (KUKAI) is classified as:

NORAD ID: 33498

Int'l Code: 2009-002G

Perigee: 631.5 km

Apogee: 648.7 km

Inclination: 98.3 °

Period: 97.4 minutes

Semi major axis: 7011 km

RCS: 0.1254 m² (medium)

Launch date: January 23, 2009
Source: Japan (JPN)
Launch site: TANEGASHIMA SPACE CENTER (TNSTA)

Uplink (MHz):
Downlink (MHz): 437.485
Beacon (MHz): 437.305
Mode: 1200bps FM CW
Call sign: JR5YBN
Status: Active

The STARS-1 satellite consists of a Mother Satellite and a Daughter Satellite connected by a tether. The Mother Satellite deploys the tether having the Daughter Satellite at its end. Daughter Satellite has one arm, and the tether is attached at its end. Then attitude control by arm motion using tether tension is possible. The main mission is to take pictures of a satellite during tether deployment. In this mission the Mother Satellite deploys tether having Daughter Satellite at its end. The Daughter Satellite controls attitude of CCD camera by robot motion. The Mother Satellite and Daughter Satellite communicate through Bluetooth. The Daughter Satellite will take pictures of the Mother Satellite, and transmitters these to ground stations through amateur radio frequency.