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AQT-D

AQT-D [University of Tokyo]

AQT-D (Aqua Thruster-Demonstrator) is a 3U Cubesat built the University of Tokyo as a demonstration of a water resistojet propulsion system.

AQT-D is composed of 1U propulsion system and 2U bus systems. The bus systems of AQT-D were designed and developed based on TRICOM-1R (Tasuki) which had been already launched and operated in 2017-2018. The propulsion system, named AQUARIUS-1U (AQUA ResIstojet propUlsion System), has one Delta-V-Thruster (F: < 4 mN) for an orbital maneuver and four Reaction-Control-Thruster (F: < 1 mN) for a reaction control. AQUARIUS-1U is a resistojet propulsion system consisting of a tank, a vaporization chamber and nozzles, using a water as a propellant (propellant mass: < 400 g). Water (H2O) enables ISS-deployed CubeSat to install a propulsion system. It is expected that the utilization of the ISS-deployed CubeSat expands drastically, because the propulsion system can lengthen its lifetime which is one of the bottlenecks of CubeSat in a low earth orbit.

The satellite was launched on board of HTV 8 to the ISS, where it was deployed on 20 November 2019.

Nation: Japan
Type / Application: Technology
Operator: University of Tokyo
Contractors: University of Tokyo
Equipment:
Configuration: CubeSat (3U)
Propulsion: AQUARIUS-1U propulsion system
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass:
Orbit: 411 km × 417 km, 51.64°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
AQT-D 1998-067QW 24.09.2019 Ta YLP-2 H-2B-304 with HTV 8, RWASAT 1, NARSScube 1

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