森田 泰弘

© 2020, Univelt Inc. All rights reserved. ISAS/JAXA has successfully launched the micro-satellite “TRICOM-1R” by the world’s smallest orbit rocket “SS-520 No.5” from Uchinoura Space Center on February 3rd in 2018. ISAS modified the existing sounding rocket SS-520 adding a small 3rd-stage solid-motor and the attitude control system. It flies spinning for the attitude stabilization in the flight. Therefore, we devised the rhumb-line control system with a new scheme. This rhumb-line system has the high-performance functions; the high-preciseness, the high-maneuver rate and the suppression of the unnecessary nutation angle generated at the RCS injection. This paper reports the development of the G&C system and the flight results.

The first Epsilon rocket was launched successfully with a small payload 'HISAKI' on September 14th, 2013 in Japan. Epsilon has a new absorber structure in Payload Attach Fitting to reduce the vibration condition for payload. We designed the robust control logic to satisfy the compatibility of robust stability and response against various disturbances. The 3rd Stage under spinning has a Rhumb-line Control function which reduces the pointing error at separation and ignition of solid motor. We could insert the payload into the orbit precisely by 'LVIC' guidance, suitable for low thrust propulsion in Post Boost Stage. We will present the flight results of the Guidance & Control (G&C) system and dynamics of Epsilon rocket.

イプシロンロケットは2013年9月14日に惑星分光観測衛星「ひさき」の打上げに成功し,目標とした軌道投入精度を達成し,新規に開発した誘導制御系の性能を遺憾なく発揮した.イプシロン開発では,惑星探査機「はやぶさ」を投入したM-Vロケットの誘導制御系の性能を継承しつつ新たな技術革新にチャレンジし,M-Vの機能,性能をさらに向上させた誘導制御系を実現した.最終段には信頼性の高い低コストなスラスタを用いた液体推進系の小型ポストブースタ(PBS)を開発し,新たに導入した誘導則とともに軌道投入精度を飛躍的に向上させた.フライトソフトにはM-Vで蓄積した各種シーケンスや姿勢マヌーバ機能をユーティリティ化して搭載し,科学衛星ユーザ等の多様な要望に容易に対応できる機能を実現し運用性を高めた.

The Epsilon launch vehicle, the newest version of Japan's solid propulsion rocket, has successfully had its maiden flight in this September carrying the extreme ultra-violet planetary telescope satellite SPRINT- A. It should be emphasized that the JAXA appreciates the advantages of combined power of the standardized small satellites and the Epsilon's highly efficient launch system, both developed by JAXA, to increase the level of space activities. Although the launch site of the Epsilon rocket, the Uchinoura Space Center (USC), was originally considered a highly compact launch complex, some modifications were made to become more efficient. The efficient launch vehicle and the compact USC established one of the most powerful tools that contribute to small missions (tentatively, maximum 1.2 ton into LEO and 450kg into SSO, as of the first flight). The purpose of the Epsilon rocket is to provide small satellites with a responsive launching, which means in this study we focus on a low cost, user friendly and ultimately efficient launch system. To realize this, the design concept of the Epsilon involves various innovative next generation technologies such as the highly intelligent autonomous checkout system and the mobile launch control. Owing to these endeavors, it was proved that the lift-off can be executed in less than 6 days after the first stage motor stand-on although the first flight took longer for extra tests and operations to complete the entire development. Another aspect that small satellites will most welcome is more user-friendly character involving: A reduction in the acoustic vibration level by refined ground facilities an attenuation of the sinusoidal vibration environment by a special vibration attenuator and a highly accurate orbit injection by a liquid propelled upper stage. Their effectiveness was well demonstrated. Now that the first flight was finished, the most important is what the next step will be in the future. JAXA has been conducting intensive researches on a next generation Epsilon to launch a more powerful and lower cost version Epsilon (El) in 2017 (TBD). In order to minimize the level of technical risks, JAXA plans to take a step by step approach to improve the cost and performance of the launch system toward El. According to this strategy, the second flight will be conducted in 2015 with an enhanced launch capacity of more than 500kg into SSO. This paper provides the results of the first flight of the Epsilon and reveals its evolution plan. Copyright© (2013) by the International Astronautical Federation.

The Epsilon launch vehicle has two main objectives. One is to evolve the highly efficient launch vehicle using the solid rocket system technologies that we have obtained for more than fifty years. The other is to meet the needs of the small satellites whose market will grow in the near future definitely. The needs and the demands of the small satellites have been flowdowned to the requirements of the Epsilon launch vehicle. As a next generation launch system, the Epsilon launch vehicle has several special features. The level of user friendliness is increased including more accurate orbit insertion precision, lower acoustic environment and lower separation shock level. It is optimized from the point of view of both cost and performance. This paper describes the system design of the Epsilon launch vehicle.

The development of the Epsilon launch vehicle, Japan's next generation solid rocket launcher, has just moved on to the final stretch for its first launch scheduled in summer of 2013 carrying the planetary telescope satellite SPRINT-A. It should be emphasized that the JAXA appreciates the advantages of combined power of the standardized small satellites and the Epsilon's highly efficient launch system, both developed by JAXA. The launch site of the Epsilon rocket is the Uchinoura Space Center (USC), the home of Japan's solid rockets, which will be modified to become more efficient although it is already a highly compact launch complex. The efficient launch vehicle and the compact USC will establish one of the most powerful tools that contribute to small missions (maximum 1.2 ton into LEO and 450kg into SSO as of the first flight). The purpose of the Epsilon rocket is to provide small satellites with a responsive launching, which means in this study we focus on a low cost, user friendly and ultimately efficient launch system. To realize this, the design concept of the Epsilon involves various innovative next generation technologies such as the highly intelligent autonomous checkout system and the mobile launch control. Owing to these endeavors, the lift-off will be executed in less than 6 days after the first stage motor stand-on. Another aspect that small satellites will most welcome is more user-friendly characteristics involving improvements in: The acoustic vibration level at ignition by refined ground facilities the sinusoidal vibration environment by a special vibration attenuator and the orbit injection accuracy by a liquid propelled upper stage. Now that the full-scale development is about to be finished, the most important is what the next step should be beyond the Epsilon. JAXA has already announced the post Epsilon development to launch a low cost version Epsilon (El) in 2017. Note that the strategy taken to lower the cost will be mainly based on using lighter and lower cost materials, thus resulting in higher performance as well. In order to minimize the level of technical risks, JAXA plans to take a step by step approach to improve the cost and performance of the launch system toward El and the second flight will be conducted in 2015 with an enhanced launch capacity of more than 500kg into SSO. This paper provides the details of the final phase of the Epsilon development and reveals its evolution plan. Copyright © (2012) by the International Astronautical Federation.

The Epsilon rocket, formerly called Advanced Solid Rocket (ASR) launcher, proceeded to the full development phase in August 2010 and its launch site was officially declared to be the Uchinoura Space Center (USC), the home of Japanese solid propellant rocket. The primary purpose of Epsilon is to provide small satellites with a responsive launch that means a low cost, user-friendly and ultimately efficient launch system. The slogan is "Small, Cheap, Fast and Reliable". This outcome is also a result of the excellent endeavors of those who devoted themselves to the next generation solid propellant rocket. However, this is not the final destination. Now that the development was approved, the most important is what the next step should be beyond Epsilon. This paper deals with the significance of the development of Epsilon launch vehicle and how it contributes to the possible evolution of future space transportation systems.

In January, 2011, the launch site of the Epsilon rocket was officially declared to be the Uchinoura Space Center (USC), the home of Japanese solid propellant rockets since the Japan's first satellite was launched in 1970. The development of the Epsilon launch vehicle is now about to advance to its detailed design level to prepare for its first flight, scheduled to be carried out in 2013. The primary purpose of Epsilon is to provide small satellites with a responsive launch that means a low cost, user-friendly and ultimately efficient launch system. The innovative design concept of the Epsilon launch vehicle will greatly contribute to increase the level of the space transportation technologies. However, this is not the final destination. Equally important is what the next step should be beyond Epsilon. This paper deals with the current development status of the Epsilon launch vehicle and its intended evolution. Copyright ©2011 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved.