TheNano-Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration (Nano-JASMINE) is anastrometricmicrosatellite developed by theNational Astronomical Observatory of Japan, with contributions by theUniversity of Tokyo's Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (ISSL). As of 2015[update], the satellite was planned for launch together withCHEOPS (Characterizing Exoplanets Satellite)[3][4] in 2019.[5] However, this launch took place in December 2019 without Nano-JASMINE as one of the three piggyback payloads. Some sources named 2022 as the launch year of the satellite.[6] By 2023, the launch had been cancelled and the satellite is now displayed inKakamigahara Air and Space Museum.[7] With the cancellation of the Nano-JASMINE demonstration mission, the focus shifted to its successor: the larger JASMINE (Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration). As of late 2024, JASMINE is scheduled for a launch at the end of the 2031 fiscal year.
Nano-JASMINE is a microsatellite measuring 50.8 × 50.8 × 51.2 cm (20.0 × 20.0 × 20.2 in) and weighing approximately 35 kg (77 lb).[1] It carries a small, 5.25 cm (2.07 in)Ritchey–Chrétien telescope that will make observations in theinfrared spectrum, allowing for easier observation toward thecentre of the Milky Way.[2] Its exterior is covered withGallium arsenide (GaAs)solar cells providing approximately 20watts of power.[1] Due to limited bandwidth, Nano-JASMINE will employ a Star Image Extractor (SIE) for onboard raw image processing that will extract and transmit only specific object data.[8]
Nano-JASMINE is Japan's first and the world's third astrometric survey spacecraft, followingHipparcos (1989) andGaia (2013), both launched by theEuropean Space Agency (ESA). It is thepathfinder in a planned series of three spacecraft of increasing size and capability; the second is (originally and officially still called "Small-JASMINE") with a 30 cm (12 in) telescope, and the third is JASMINE with an 80 cm (31 in) telescope.[9][10]
The spacecraft is designed to have an astrometric accuracy (2–3mas (milli-arcsecond) for stars brighter than 7.5magnitude) comparable to Hipparcos (1 mas). Nano-JASMINE should be able to detect approximately four times the number of stars as Hipparcos. Given the time difference between these missions, combining the data sets of Nano-JASMINE and Hipparcos will constrain the positions of stars whose current positions are poorly known owing to uncertainty in their motion since being measured by Hipparcos, and should provide an order-of-magnitude increase in the accuracy ofproper motion measurements (approximately 0.1 mas/year; 0.2 mas/year for stars brighter than 9 magnitude).[2]
Nano-JASMINE had been scheduled for launch aboard aTsyklon-4 launch vehicle from theBrazilian Space Agency'sAlcântara Launch Center (CLA). The launch was originally contracted for August 2011,[11] but was delayed to the November 2013 to March 2014 time frame.[2][9] Various issues have held back its launch, first due to delays in both the construction of the launch site and development of the launch vehicle, and later due to Brazil backing out of the Tsyklon-4 partnership with Ukraine leading to the rocket's indefinite hold.[12][13] In March 2015, talks to arrange a flight for Nano-JASMINE began between NAOJ and ESA.[3] It was to be launched as apiggyback payload withCHEOPS on aSoyuz launch vehicle[4][14] in 2019.[5][15] As of late 2020, the launch of Nano-JASMINE was scheduled for 2022. In 2023, the launch was cancelled and the satellite was put on permanent display.[7]
Nano-JASMINE will be succeeded by a larger spacecraft, JASMINE (formerly "Small-JASMINE"), which is planned to be launched in 2028 by anEpsilon launch vehicle.[16]
^abGouda, N. (15 September 2015).小型JASMINE計画(PDF). GOPIRA Symposium 2015 14–16 September 2015 Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan (in Japanese). Group of Optical and Infrared Astronomers. Retrieved2 April 2017.
^abYamada, Yoshiyuki (2015).Gaia validation by Nano-JASMINE data. GENIUS Mid Term Review Meeting 20 November 2015 Leiden, the Netherlands. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 9 July 2024. Retrieved2 April 2017.
^ab"空宙博(そらはく)に「Nano-JASMINE衛星」を展示します" ["Nano-JASMINE Satellite" will be exhibited at the Sorahaku Expo].Gifu Prefecture (Press release) (in Japanese). 16 June 2023. Archived fromthe original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved10 November 2024.
^abGouda, N.; et al. (29 August 2012).Present status of JASMINE projects(PDF). 28th International Astronomical Union General Assembly 20–31 August 2012 Beijing, China. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 30 March 2017. Retrieved30 March 2017.
^"JASMINE mission"(PDF). Group of Optical and Infrared Astronomers. Retrieved1 December 2020.
^"JASMINE（赤外線位置天文観測衛星）で拓く天の川中心核と地球型惑星の探査" [JASMINE (Infrared Astrometry Satellite) will pioneer the exploration of the Milky Way's core and terrestrial planets](PDF).NAOJ News (in Japanese). No. 332. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. 1 March 2021. p. 6.ISSN0915-8863. Retrieved29 April 2021.
