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TOPS
TOPS [JAXA]
TOPS (Telescope Observatory for Planets on Small-satellite) is a small astronomic observatory to examine the atmospheres of the planets. I features to telescopes with 30 cm aperture, covering the range from ultraviolet (121 nm wavelength) to visible light and near-infrared (1,100 nm wavelength). By making use of the latest commercial technologies, it will have unique, outstanding functions such as spectral imaging covering over 400 wavelengths and shape-changeable occulting mask. By masking the light day-side of planets, it can catch the faint light of the night-side or atmosphere in the exosphere. One of the important targets of TOPS is stereoscopic observation of Jupiter's clouds and atmospheric composition including its lightning-discharge emissions.
The mission has been replaced by the redesigned SPRINT A (EXCEED).
| Nation: | Japan |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Astronomy |
| Operator: | JAXA |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | 2 30 cm telescopes |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPS | - | cancelled | Ka LP-M | Epsilon |
