RIKEN, Japan's largest comprehensive research institution, Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, and mission integrator Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) have announced their collaboration on the astronomical NinjaSat1 X-ray observatory mission. The aim of this two-year mission in a low Earth orbit (LEO) is to observe X-ray photons from bright X-ray objects in the universe. The NinjaSat team aims to observe black holes and neutron stars that suddenly brighten in X-rays, and, coordinating with on-ground optical observatories, to study how matter accretes to these compact objects.
As part of this mission, NanoAvionics has supplied its flight proven multi-purpose 6U M6P nanosatellite bus and integrated the science payloads developed by RIKEN and provided satellite testing services. The Lithuanian company has also supported the project with its extensive know-how as an advisor for nanosatellite technology.
The satellite is ready to be launched and deployed from a SpaceX Transporter 9 mission this year.
Toru Tamagawa, Chief Scientist at RIKEN, said: "Small but flexible cubesats, such as NinjaSat, attempt to observe the X-ray sky in ways that are difficult to achieve with large observatories. RIKEN and collaborators are now operating the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) instrument aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and have discovered many new black holes in our Galaxy that suddenly brighten in X-rays. NinjaSat allows high cadence monitoring and flexible operations for such transient sources, which are of great value in time-domain astronomy, covertly targeting critical scientific results as a ninja"
Sadayuki Osugi, CEO at Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, said: "We are pleased to provide RIKEN with our "One Stop Service" which is an end-to-end support from the development to launch and operation of a satellite. "NinjaSat" is the first mission utilising our "One Stop Service" which uses NanoAvionics satellite platform. Based on our success with the "NinjaSat" project, we will promote our comprehensive service in the Japanese space business market together with NanoAvionics."
Vytenis J. Buzas, co-founder and CEO of NanoAvionics, said: "Japan is one of the most technologically advanced economies in the world and I'm thrilled that NanoAvionics is able to provide both our technology as well as our expertise to such distinctive Japanese organisations like RIKEN and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace. In addition to our industry customers, we have consistently worked with research organisations such as NASA, Los Alamos and MIT - all exploring and utilising the possibilities of cost-effective nanosatellites in fundamental research missions."
The NinjaSat X-ray observatory2 is a 6U-size cubesat to make flexible X-ray observations of persistently bright X-ray objects. It will also perform much demanded follow-up observations of transient objects discovered by the MAXI surveys. One target example is Scorpius X-1, one of the brightest X-ray objects hosting a fast-spinning neutron star and a candidate for coherent gravitational waves, as an important net target of gravitational astronomy.
The satellite has two deployable solar panels. One side of this satellite is open to space. It has two identical Gas Multiplier Counters (GMCs) attached to each end of this side, two Radiation Belt Monitors (RBMs) for safety monitoring of background particle environments, and one star tracker at the centre of this side. The main science payload is the two GMCs to measure individual radiation events. Recorded payload data will be downloaded to the ground via S-Band.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Defense Industry Analyst:
A defense industry analyst would find this article relevant as it highlights the collaboration of two major companies in the defense industry, RIKEN and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, on a new mission to observe X-ray photons from bright X-ray objects in the universe. The article provides insight into the mission objectives, technology used, and the potential benefits of this mission for the defense industry. The primary audience for this article would be defense industry professionals, investors, and policy makers.
Stock Market Analyst:
A stock market analyst would find this article relevant as it provides details on a significant mission that could have an impact on the stock market. The article outlines the collaboration of two major companies in the defense industry, RIKEN and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, on a mission to observe X-ray photons from bright X-ray objects in the universe. This mission could potentially have a positive impact on the stock market, depending on the success of the mission and the resulting data. The primary audience for this article would be stock market analysts and investors.
General Industry Analyst:
A general industry analyst would find this article relevant as it provides details on a significant mission that could have implications for the general industry. The article outlines the collaboration of two major companies in the defense industry, RIKEN and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, on a mission to observe X-ray photons from bright X-ray objects in the universe. This mission could have implications for the general industry, depending on the success of the mission and the resulting data. The primary audience for this article would be general industry professionals, investors, and policy makers.
Analyst Summary
: RIKEN, Japans largest comprehensive research institution, Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, and mission integrator Kongsberg NanoAvionics have announced their collaboration on the NinjaSat1 X-ray observatory mission. The two year mission in a low Earth orbit (LEO) aims to observe X-ray photons from bright X-ray objects in the universe, with the ultimate goal of studying how matter accretes to compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars. As part of the mission, NanoAvionics has supplied its flight-proven multi-purpose 6U M6P nanosatellite bus and integrated the science payloads developed by RIKEN, as well as providing satellite testing services. The satellite is ready to be launched and deployed from a SpaceX Transporter 9 mission.This mission has major implications for the defense, stock market, and general industry sectors. The success of the mission could provide valuable insight into the nature of compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars, which could have a major impact on the defense industry. Additionally, the success of the mission could have a positive impact on the stock market, as well as implications for the general industry, depending on the data collected.In comparison to significant events and trends in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years, this mission is part of a larger trend of increased collaboration between private companies and government institutions in order to explore and understand the universe. This mission is also part of a larger trend of increased research into black holes and neutron stars, which has become increasingly important and relevant over the past 25 years.Investigative
Question:
- 1. What specific technologies are being used in the NinjaSat1 mission?
- 2. What kind of data is expected to be collected from this mission?
- 3.
How will the data collected from this mission be used to further our understanding of black holes and neutron stars?4. What implications could the success of this mission have for the defense industry?
5. How could the success of this mission impact the stock market and g
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