Raijin

Launch data: Designation  33497 / 09002F Launch date  23 Jan 2009 - 03:54 UT Launch site  Tanegashima, YLP-1 Launch vehicle  H-2A-202 Mission  Civil: Science, imaging Sun-Synchronous Earth orbit on: Perigee / Apogee  654 x 667 km Eccentricity  9.25E-04 Inclination  98 deg Period  97.94 min

16 Dec 2008: "SPRITE-SAT" before the electric system test - Credit: JAXA

Spacecraft data: Prime contractor  Tohoku University in Sendai Platform   Operator  Tohoku University Mass at launch  45 kg Dry Mass   kg Basic shape  cube Dimension (m)   Solar array   Stabilization   DC power   Design lifetime

Mission details:

• SpriteSat is a 50 kg small satellite with a gravity gradient boom.
• The satellite is intended to monitor high-altitude lightening effects which are called “sprites”.
• Will observe sprites and gamma-rays generated during Earth thunderstorms.