Photo/Illutration These high school students called for the release of a satellite at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Tsukuba Space Center. (Screenshot from a livestream by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

TAKEO, Saga Prefecture—High school students from this prefecture helped to develop SaganSat0, a palm-size satellite that was recently released into outer space by Japanese experiment module Kibo.

The high schoolers provided ideas for the satellite, also known as SaganSat No. 0, which was sent into orbit at 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 29 Japan time.

The satellite was a project of JAXAGA School, which is operated by the Saga prefectural government in tandem with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The goal of the school is to develop next-generation personnel through space education.

Kyushu Institute of Technology, which is based in Kita-Kyushu, also helped with the program.

Ideas for the satellite’s missions were solicited through an open competition. The winning ideas came from students at Karatsu-Higashi, Takeo and Waseda Saga high schools.

The program also enlisted the participation of students from two other schools, Arita Technical and Hokuryo high schools.

The SaganSat0, completed in the fourth year of the project, was launched on a rocket from the United States on Aug. 5 and taken to the International Space Station, where the Kibo was stationed.

On Aug. 29, three students representing different high schools and workers with the Saga Prefectural Space and Science Museum visited JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture.

When the control room issued a release command, they shouted “Go.”

Other individuals involved in the project watched JAXA’s livestream of the event at the museum in Takeo, Saga Prefecture.

“I was given this precious opportunity to give the call right in front of the control room,” said Shota Kisu, a second-year student with Takeo High School. “I hope to work hard on operation and analysis in the coming months so our mission will be achieved.”

Ibuki Nakamaru, a third-year student with Arita Technical High School, said, “I was moved greatly as I watched how the satellite, which our seniors made, was released without a hitch.”

Saki Ishihara, a third-year student with Hokuryo High School, was expecting big things ahead.

“I am looking forward very much to how data and images will actually be sent to us in the days and months to come,” Ishihara said.

The SaganSat0 has three missions: synthesizing 720-degree (full-dome) photos that give a firsthand sense of outer space; using infrared camera images to help forecast natural disasters; and converting radiation measurements into sound to allow a comparison of what is taking place in outer space and on Earth.

The students are expected to analyze data and present their results in the months and years to come.

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