Abstract
We have investigated the feasibility to build a small satellite in the 3kg mass range and in the power range less than 10W since October in 1998, as a research program of mission demonstration satellite (MDS) sponsored by National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). This small satellite installs three reaction wheels for an attitude control and camera which will demonstrate optical navigation experiment by using image processing. The components such as a small reaction wheel, and onboard computer (OBC) were developed. Radiation test for the OBC was conducted. Attitude control experiment was successfully demonstrated under the microgravity field. The breadboard model of the nanosatellite was fabricated and its feasibility was confirmed in 2000.
