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MDS 2

MDS 2 [NASDA]

The chief objective of MDS-2 (Mission Demonstration Satellite 2) was to test the Experimental Lidar In Space Experiment (ELISE) in an orbit at a 550 km altitude. The ELISE was a space-borne lidar system for atmospheric sensing experiments.

MDS-2's designed weight was 800 kg at launch, and designed life was to be one year. It was designed to generate 2 kW at the last stage of its mission. The MDS-2 employed a three-axis attitude stabilization system. Once the MDS-2 was placed into the prescribed orbit, on-board ELISE was to fire pulses of two laser lights (different in wave length) below the satellite, and collect the light reflected from the atmosphere with its 1 m aperture telescope.

MDS 2 has been cancelled.

Nation: Japan
Type / Application: Technology
Operator: NASDA
Contractors:
Equipment: ELISE
Configuration: Deployable solar array, batteries
Propulsion:
Power: Deployable solar array, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 800 kg
Orbit: 550 km × 550 km, 30°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
MDS 2 - cancelled Ta LP-N J-1 (SRB-A based) ?

References:

  • Tadashi Imai et al.: NASDA ELISE (MDS-lidar) program (Abstract)
Further MDS missions:

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