Lightning satellite built by small businesses in Osaka

Lightning satellite built by small businesses in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - A lightning observation satellite built by a consortium of small businesses in Osaka on display in Higashi Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, on Aug. 25. The cube-shaped SOHLA-1 satellite, which measures 50 centimeters on each side, is scheduled to be launched aboard a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency rocket this fiscal year and will be used to study lightning phenomena on Earth. The consortium was set up in 2002 by nine small high-tech businesses mainly based in Higashi Osaka.

Osaka engineers group completes small satellite

Osaka engineers group completes small satellite

OSAKA, Japan - An engineers association in Osaka Prefecture has assembled a small satellite and showed it to the media on Nov. 16. The Astro Technology Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association was founded by small companies in the city of Higashiosaka in 2002, with a catch phrase ''Let's launch a satellite with small companies' technology.'' The SOHLA-1 satellite, designed to observe the formation of thunder clouds, is a prototype commercial satellite able to be mass-produced. The association will install systems necessary for operation around next fall, and aims to launch it with an H-2A rocket in fiscal 2008.

Osaka engineers group completes small satellite

Osaka engineers group completes small satellite

OSAKA, Japan - An engineers association in Osaka Prefecture has assembled a small satellite and showed it to the media on Nov. 16. The Astro Technology Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association was founded by small companies in the city of Higashiosaka in 2002, with a catch phrase ''Let's launch a satellite with small companies' technology.'' The SOHLA-1 satellite, designed to observe the formation of thunder clouds, is a prototype commercial satellite able to be mass-produced. The association will install systems necessary for operation around next fall, and aims to launch it with an H-2A rocket in fiscal 2008. (Kyodo)

Lightning satellite built by small businesses in Osaka

Lightning satellite built by small businesses in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - A lightning observation satellite built by a consortium of small businesses in Osaka on display in Higashi Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, on Aug. 25. The cube-shaped SOHLA-1 satellite, which measures 50 centimeters on each side, is scheduled to be launched aboard a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency rocket this fiscal year and will be used to study lightning phenomena on Earth. The consortium was set up in 2002 by nine small high-tech businesses mainly based in Higashi Osaka. (Kyodo)