One Year On-Orbit Operation of a Micropropulsion System Using an Ion Thruster and Cold-Gas Thrusters on the 50-Kg-Class Micro Space Probe, PROCYON

Koizumi, Hiroyuki, The Univ. of Tokyo

doi:10.1117/3.2618157.ch3

Book: The Nanosatellite Revolution: 30 Years and Continuing

Editor(s): Henry Helvajian; Siegfried W. Janson

Author(s): Hiroyuki Koizumi

Published: 2023

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2618157.ch3

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

PRoximate Object Close flY by with Optical Navigation (PROCYON) is a 50-kg-class micro–space probe that was developed collaboratively by the University of Tokyo and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) (see Fig. 3.1). It was launched on December 3, 2014 and operated for a full year thereafter. The purpose of PROCYON was to show that microspacecraft (spacecraft weighing 100 kg or less) can be used for deep-space exploration in a threefold mission. The nominal mission was to verify bus technology for small space probes and to achieve not only basic functions, such as heat control, attitude control, communication, orbit determination, and electricity generation in deep space, but also constant acceleration provided by the electric propulsion. Next, the advanced portion of the mission was to verify a high-efficiency power amplifier using gallium nitride (GaN),3 navigation experiments with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), an Earth swing-by using orbit control via electric propulsion, entry into an asteroid flyby orbit and capture of video of an asteroid during the flyby. Finally, a science mission also included capturing images of the geocorona.