Japan to Test Commercial Electronic Parts in Space
Posted on: Wednesday, 6 August 2003, 06:00 CDT
Tokyo, Aug. 6 (Jiji Press)--Japan on Wednesday unveiled a new satellite to test cheap but high-quality off-the-shelf electronic parts, such as computer parts, in the space for their possible use in satellites.
The satellite called SERVIS, or Space Environment Reliability Verification Integrated System, has been developed by the Institute for Unmanned Space Experiment Free Flyer, affiliated with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. , the manufacturer, revealed the satellite at its plant in Kamakura, west of Tokyo.
SERVIS-1 is due to be launched on the Rockot rocket from Russia on Oct. 8.
The satellite consists of a box-shaped main part which is exactly the same as that of USERS, or Unmanned Space Experiment Recovery System, a satellite which was launched in September last year. With solar battery paddles attached to the main part, it weighs around 850 kilograms.
If SERVIS-1 and SERVIS-2, scheduled for launch in the autumn of 2006, verify that commercial electronic parts can withstand radiation in the space and be used for satellites, it would be possible to cut satellite costs to one third of the current levels, according to the company.
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