Axelspace Corporation (HQ: Tokyo; CEO: Yuya Nakamura) has been selected by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, HQ: Tokyo Chofu, President: Naoki Okumura) for the production of the first Innovative Technology Demonstration Satellite in the “Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program” based on a technical proposal, and the relative contract procedure has been completed. The satellite will carry instruments selected through a public tender.
As determined in the contract, Axelspace will immediately begin designing the spacecraft and prepare for its launch. The purpose of this minisatellite is to host and integrate eight instruments, selected during a public tender in October and November 2015, for their in-orbit testing. It will be launched by an improved version of the Epsilon rocket along with several other micro- and nanosatellites.
For details about the Epsilon rocket see: http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/epsilon/