Tokyo, Japan, August 2, 2024 – ArkEdge Space Inc. (“ArkEdge Space”) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a domestically produced Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), a key component for managing the attitude and orbit of artificial satellites. The system achieves a balance of high performance and cost-efficiency, marking a significant milestone in satellite technology development.
This development was part of a project commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) under its Research and Development to Promote Space Development and Utilization program (Small Satellite Constellation-related Elemental Technology Development (orbital/attitude control technology (ADCS integration unit)). The project focused on small satellite constellation-related elemental technology, particularly ADCS integration units.
ArkEdge Space led the initiative in collaboration with the following stakeholders (alphabetical order):
- Cosina Co., Ltd. (Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture)
- IMAGE TECH CORPORATION (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics of the Graduate School of Engineering of The University of Tokyo (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo)
- Japan Space Systems (Minato Ward, Tokyo)
- Mitsubishi Precision Co., Ltd. (Minato Ward, Tokyo)
- Seiren Co., Ltd. (Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture)
- Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd. (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture)
The ADCS system is compatible with small satellites, such as those of 6U size category.
It includes high-precision units optimized for missions such as Earth observation and wide-area telecommunications, as well as cost-effective units designed for general-purpose applications such as IoT data collection.
ArkEdge Space will utilize this ADCS system to build its small satellite constellation, reinforcing its commitment to innovative and reliable satellite solutions.