Fifth Epsilon launch vehicle (Epsilon-5) with Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-2 was successfully launched from JAXA Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima, Japan on November 9, 2021. Successful injection of nine satellites with high accuracy demonstrated the capability of Epsilon launch vehicle for rideshare missions of various satellite sizes. The new Epsilon Satellite Mount Structure-II (ESMS-II) and an adapter was developed to launch more satellites.
In the paper, we first introduce Epsilon launch vehicle and its multi-launch capability. Then, we describe the mission design of Epsilon-5 and rideshare specific configuration. Finally, we mention the rideshare opportunity provided by Epsilon launch vehicle in the future

Horikawa, Makoto

Imoto, Takayuki

Izumi, Hitomi

Yagi, Kazuhiro

Yamada, Shin

English

DigitalCommons@USU

Advancements in the Epsilon Launch Vehicle‘s Rideshare Capability and Future MissionsShin Yamada1), Makoto Horikawa1), Hitomi Izumi1), Kazuhiro Yagi1), Takayuki Imoto2) 1) IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. (IA) 2) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)Copyright © 2022 IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. August 11, 2022 SSC22-XI-05©JAXASSC22-XI-05 21. Introduction of Epsilon Launch Vehicle 2.Description of Epsilon-5 Flight 3.Future Missions of Epsilon 4.SummaryContents©JAXASSC22-XI-05 31. Introduction of Epsilon Launch Vehicle➢ Epsilon is three-stage solid propellant launch vehicle developed as Japan’s flagship led by JAXA ➢ An additional liquid-fuel Post Boost Stage (PBS) is available ➢ Epsilon was made to satisfy the needs for small satellite launches ➢ Flight-proven subsystems derived from both M-V and H-IIA were  enhanced and applied to make the Epsilon highly reliable launch vehicle©JAXA✓ High injection accuracy ✓ Late access ✓ Low level sinusoidal and acoustic vibration3 features for user-friendlinessStandard Configuration (w/o PBS)Optional Configuration (w/ PBS)Length 26 mDiameter 2.6 mMass 95.4 t 95.7 tLaunch Capability 1200 kg to LEO 590 kg to 500 km SSOH-IIAM-V EpsilonUpper stages, Integration technologyFairing, Avionics, RCS, BoosterThe world’s largest solid-propellant rocket. Used as a medium payload lifter with 6 successful flights.Japan’s flagship heavy lifter for more than 15 years. More than 130 SRBs have been used.Overview of Epsilon Launch VehicleSSC22-XI-05DevelopmentUsabilityEpsilon-2 successfulEpsilon-3 successfulEpsilon-4 successfulAchievements of Enhanced Epsilon 1. Compact launch operation        ; Launch control, check out 2. First-class satellite environment        ;  Acoustics, vibration, shock, etc. 3. Highly accurate injection to SSO 4. Rideshare launch for multiple satellitesLaunch Service Business - Enhanced launch capability  - Improved user-friendliness  - High reliability  - Launch cost reduction©JAXAEpsilon-1 successful- Enhanced launch capability from   450 kg to 590 kg for SSO - Enlarged satellite envelope   etc.Performance improvement4Epsilon SEnhanced Epsilon1. Introduction of Epsilon Launch Vehicle2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024-History of Epsilon Launch VehicleEpsilon-5 successfulMulti-payload missionEpsilon-6 plannedEpsilon-7 plannedLaunch services Led by JAXA Led by IAimprovementSSC22-XI-05 5Service structureAssembly buildingLaunch pad©JAXA©JAXALaunch complex “M Daichi”The launch site is Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima, Japan, where is in south part of Japan. Satellites can conduct launch site operation and are encapsuled in the payload fairing in cleanrooms.1. Introduction of Epsilon Launch VehicleLaunch Site of Epsilon Launch Vehicle✓ Class 100,000 cleanliness until launchCleanroom for satellite launch site operationSSC22-XI-05 6Sep. 14, 2013 HISAKI 340 kg LEO SuccessfulDec. 20, 2016 ARASE 365 kg HEO SuccessfulSep. 14, 2013 ASNARO-2 570 kg SSO 500 km Successful©JAXAFirst flight of Enhanced Epsilon First SSO mission ©JAXA1. Introduction of Epsilon Launch VehicleFlight Achievements of Epsilon-1 to 3: Single LaunchEpsilon-2Epsilon-1 Epsilon-3©JAXA©JAXA ©JAXASSC22-XI-05 7Epsilon-5Epsilon-4 Epsilon-6First multi-satellite missionJan. 18, 2019 Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-1 (7 sats) SSO 500 km SuccessNov. 9, 2021 Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-2 (9 sats) SSO 560 km SuccessOct. 2022: planned Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3 & AMATERU-I and II (8 sats total) SSO 560 km©JAXA1. Introduction of Epsilon Launch VehicleFlight Achievements and Plan of Epsilon-4 to 6: Rideshare ©JAXA©JAXA©JAXA©iQPS Inc.©JAXA©JAXA©JAXA ©JAXASSC22-XI-05©JAXA8200 kg-class2. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightFeature of Epsilon-5 in Comparison to Epsilon-4Epsilon-4Epsilon-5100 kg-class & 50 kg-classSmallsats on topMicrosats on sideCubeSats9U total 6U totalE-SSOD x3 E-SSOD x2 RAISE-2 TeikyoSat-4HIBARIDRUMSZ-SatASTERISCKOSEN-1ARICANanoDragonEpsilon acquired a new configuration to get more flexible for multi-payload ✓ The number of satellites was increased ✓ Various combination of satellites for the top slot50 kg-class x3100 kg-class slot x2©JAXAE-SSOD (Epsilon Small Satellite Orbital Deployer)ESMS-II (Epsilon Satellite Mount Structure)Mount adapter for MicrosatALE-1RISESATMicroDragonNEXUS OrigamiSat-1Aoba VELOX-IVRAPIS-1©JAXA ©JAXAAll images of satellites: ©JAXASSC22-XI-05100 kg-class slot x2©JAXAE-SSOD (Epsilon Small Satellite Orbital Deployer)ESMS-II (Epsilon Satellite Mount Structure)Mount adapter for Microsat9Motorized Lightband® MKII - 18.250 inch for 100 kg-class - 8.000 inch for 50 kg-class x42. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightMulti-launch Configuration and Operation for Epsilon-5 Flight✓ All the satellites received 1 - 1.5 month before launch ✓ Satellites were mated to ESMS-II using original rotating deviceEpsilon-5©JAXA ©JAXA✓ Each satellite mated vertically by rotating device©PSCSSC22-XI-05100 kg-class slot x2©JAXAE-SSOD (Epsilon Small Satellite Orbital Deployer)ESMS-II (Epsilon Satellite Mount Structure)Mount adapter for Microsat102. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightMulti-launch Configuration and Operation for Epsilon-5 Flight✓ Any combination of CubeSats up to 3U totalModified for  Epsilon✓ 21 opportunities since Oct., 2012 ✓ All 62 satellites successfully deployed“J-SSOD” JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer©JAXA/NASA©JAXA/NASAEpsilon-5✓ All the satellites received 1 - 1.5 month before launch ✓ Satellites were mated to ESMS-II using original rotating deviceAccess windowSSC22-XI-05 11v (direction of orbital velocity)u (direction of zenith)wRAISE-2, TeikyoSat-4 and ASTERISC separationContamination and collision avoidance maneuver by PBS burn (CCAM)Z-Sat, DRUMS, HIBARI, KOSEN-1, ARICA, and NanoDragon separation  in the same attitudeLowering altitude by PBS burnVisible from Santiago Ground StationVisible from Atlanta Ground Station2. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightMission Design for Epsilon-5 FlightThe separation sequence was redesigned under some requirements; ✓ Confirm the separation signals in real time to provide orbital data to satellite operators quickly ✓ RAISE-2 separated first with sun-pointing attitude  ✓ All satellites injected into respectively prescribed orbit e.g. Required injection accuracy of RAISE-2 was +/- 10 km in apogee and perigee altitude ✓ HIBARI and ASTERISC have sufficient semimajor axis differenceEpsilon-5✓ To avoid potential collision between separated satellites,  each orbital velocity are different ✓ The number of orbital transfer and attitude maneuver minimizedSSC22-XI-05 122. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightMission Design and Flight Result of Epsilon-5✓ Actual flight data agrees very well with predicted path ✓ All nine satellites were separated with high injection accuracy✓ The flight results accommodate with the interface with a marginEpsilon-5SSC22-XI-05 13Reproduced orbit from TLEPredicted orbit from mission analysis2. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightMission Design and Flight Result of Epsilon-5Epsilon-5✓ The positional relation and intervals among nine satellites and PBS acquired from the TLE agrees very well with prediction by mission analysis label: International Designator and            Satellite Catalog Number➢ The same color indicates the same spacecraftSSC22-XI-05 142. Description of Epsilon-5 FlightEpsilon-5 Successfully Launched!Epsilon-5Epsilon-5 successfully launched at 09:55:16 (JST) on November 9, 2021. ✓ Confirmed all satellites deployed with high injection accuracy.©JAXASSC22-XI-05AMATERU-I & AMATERU-II 15Introduction of Epsilon-6 Rideshare with Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3 by JAXA and commercial SAR satellites of Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) ✓ First commercial launch by IA ✓ Newly developed multi-payload configurationRAISE-3KOSEN-2MITSUBA MAGNAROWASEDA-SAT-ZEROEpsilon-6©JAXAFSI-SATEpsilon-6 with 8 sats will launch soon!©JAXAA -I  ©iQPS Inc.©JAXAE-SSOD x3Small satellite x3CubeSats3. Future Rideshare Missions by Epsilon©iQPS Inc.SSC22-XI-05 16From Epsilon-7 (Epsilon S)Current Epsilon (Enhanced Epsilon)Payload schedulePayload delivery: 10 days before launch Final access to payload: 3 hours before launch Payload delivery: 1 – 1.5 month before launch in case of Epsilon-5Launch capabilitySSO 350 - 700 km : 600 kg at minimum LEO 500 km : 1400 kg at minimumSSO 500 km : 590 kg LEO : 1200 kg3rd stage attitude control 3-axis control by TVC and PBS Spin stabilization3. Future Rideshare Missions by EpsilonIntroduction of Epsilon-7 and LaterSome points of Epsilon is improved from Epsilon-7 flight for higher usability. Epsilon-7 will launch Vietnamese satellite “LOTUSat-1” in 2023. ✓ Improved user-friendliness about schedule and flight environment ✓ Enhanced launch capability and even higher orbit injection accuracy We will provide small satellites better and more launch opportunity including rideshare.Epsilon-7 and laterSSC22-XI-05 17SummaryEpsilon launch vehicle is a solid-fuel launch vehicle for small satellites including rideshare. Epsilon-5 successfully launched 9 satellites of Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-1. ✓ Along with Epsilon-3 and Epsilon-4 flight, Epsilon has shown its high injection accuracy to SSO. ✓ Epsilon acquired a new configuration to get more flexible for multi-payload mission. Epsilon-6 will launch 8 satellites soon. ✓ Rideshare with JAXA program and commercial SAR satellites of iQPS. ✓ iQPS satellites are the first commercial launch order for IA. Epsilon-7 is planned to launch LOTUSat-1 in 2023. ✓ Improved user-friendliness; payload delivery 10 days before launch. ✓ Enhanced launch capability and even higher orbit injection accuracy. We will provide small satellites better and more launch opportunities.Thank you for your kind attention!Please come to booth #57 for more information©JAXA

Advancements in the Epsilon Launch Vehicle\u27s Rideshare Capability and Future Missions

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=5285&context=smallsat&type=additional

Advancements in the Epsilon Launch Vehicle\u27s Rideshare Capability and Future Missions

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