Nano-JASMINE is a microsatellite measuring and weighing approximately. It carries a small, Ritchey–Chrétien telescope that will make observations in the infrared spectrum, allowing for easier observation toward the center of the Milky Way. Its exterior is covered with GaAssolar cells providing approximately 20 watts of power. Due to limited bandwidth, Nano-JASMINE will employ a Star Image Extractor for onboard raw image processing that will extract and transmit only specific object data.
Overview
Nano-JASMINE is Japan's first and the world's third astrometric survey spacecraft, following Hipparcos and Gaia, both launched by the European Space Agency. It is the in a planned series of three spacecraft of increasing size and capability; the second is Small-JASMINE with a telescope, and the third being JASMINE with an telescope. The spacecraft is designed to have an astrometric accuracy comparable to Hipparcos. 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 of proper motion measurements. Nano-JASMINE had been scheduled for launch aboard a Tsyklon-4 rocket from the Brazilian Space Agency's Alcântara Launch Center. The launch was originally contracted for August 2011, but was delayed to the November 2013 to March 2014time frame. 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. In March 2015, talks to arrange a flight for Nano-JASMINE began between NAOJ and the European Space Agency. It was to be launched as a piggyback payload with CHEOPS on a Soyuz rocket in 2019. This launch is no longer considered for Nano-JASMINE. As of 2019, the launch of Nano-JASMINE is foreseen in 2020 or 2021. As of August 2019 the JASMINE project website shows the mission overview of Small-JASMINE including a plan and schedule with a planned launch of Small-JASMINE for 2024 with an Epsilon Rocket.
