CUTE 1.7 + APD

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Organization Tokyo Institute of Technology Launch Date 21st February 2006 (TBC) Launch Site Uchinoura Space Center Centre Launcher JAXA M-V Dimensions 20 x 10 x 10 cm³ Satellite Mass 1 Kg Orbit Sun Synchronous Inclination ~98° Perigee 290 km Apogee 750 km

Cute-1.7+APD is the successor of the CUTE-I nano-satellite, developed and built by the second generation of students of the Tokyo Institute of Technology Matunaga Laboratory for Space System (LSS). The Avalanche Photo Diode sensor module, or APD, embarked on this 20cmx10cmx10cm nano-satellite was also developed by the Tokyo Institute of Technology Kawai Laboratory.

Cute-1.7 + APD project is a satellite development project mainly by students at Laboratory for Space Systems, Tokyo Institute of Technology. To launch our satellite in 2006, the project has started in January, 2004. Our satellite, named Cute-1.7 + APD, will be 200mm x 100mm x 100mm in size. It will be the second satellite made in Tokyo Institute of Technology after the first one, CUTE-I, was launched in June, 2003. This project is based on the international CubeSat project.

Cute-1.7 + APD will be launched as a sub-payload on the 3rd stage of Japanese solid rocket M-V-8 on Feb. 18, 2006. Main satellite is ASTRO-F. The planned orbit of "Cute-1.7 + APD " is 250-280km in perigee height and 750km in apogee height, so lifetime of "Cute-1.7 + APD " is estimated much less than one year for the shortest due to atmospheric reentry. The exact lifetime is dependent on the actual rocket flight condition and atmospheric density.

[edit] External links

• The Cute-1.7 + APD Official Site