Star ALE - Artificial meteor showers

[Comga]

https://star-ale.com/news/2020/04/20/000161.html

There is a part sticking in the deployment mechanism of ALE's second satellite, so it can't release the particles to create the shooting stars.  They think it may have more friction than they expected in hard vacuum, and will use a better vacuum chamber for testing next time.  Planning to try again with third satellite with launch in 2022 and operation in 2023.

(The above is a summary of the Google translation, if any Japanese speakers want to do a better job it would be welcome.)

ALE Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Reina Okajima, ALE), whose mission is to “connect science to society and make the universe into a cultural sphere,” was launched on December 6, 2019. It was judged that the artificial meteor could not be realized with the second satellite because the parts for loading the meteor source (grains that are the source of the artificial meteor) of the second satellite (hereinafter, second aircraft) are not operating normally. The world's first artificial shooting star was planned to be realized in 2020 by using Unit 2, but we are aiming to achieve it in the early 2023 by using the third satellite under development (hereinafter, Unit 3). I will.

Status of Unit 2
Unit 2 sends the particles, which are the source of artificial shooting stars, from the hangar (①) to the discharge mechanism (inside ①), and accelerates them in the cylinder to discharge them (②). The particles emitted from Unit 2 in orbit re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and emit light, which makes them appear as shooting stars on the ground.

However, even if an operation command is sent from the ground station to Unit 2, particles are not sent to the discharge mechanism. As a result of detailed verification, it was found that one of the parts for sending out the grain was difficult to move and could not return to the predetermined position. As a result, the sending operation cannot be started and the discharging operation cannot be started.

The cause of this malfunction is thought to be the effect unique to outer space. In outer space, due to the high degree of vacuum called ultra-high vacuum, frictional force may increase from the ground and materials may stick to each other. As a result of the verification, it was concluded that the effect peculiar to outer space is larger than expected and that the force required for operation is likely to exceed the design value.
We have confirmed that all functions and devices (*) other than the above are operating normally.
* [Bus] Communication, high-accuracy attitude control, redundant function of satellite position and direction.
[Mission part] On-board equipment such as a redundant determination function for release, valves, pistons, and sensors.

■ Countermeasures for development after Unit 3
As a facility for simulating a space environment and testing artificial satellites, we have introduced a device that can reproduce a higher vacuum state than what we have been using so far, enabling more detailed verification before launch. We have also strengthened our internal development system. By increasing the number of experts in various fields such as mechanical, electrical, and software, as well as the addition of artificial satellite engineers and satellite ground system engineers who have been involved in space development for many years, higher quality design and verification are possible.

In addition, as with the first and second units, we will proceed with the development of the artificial satellite bus section in collaboration with Tohoku University, which has a wealth of knowledge.
In this way, we will strengthen our in-house facilities and development system, and make use of the experience and expertise of outside companies to advance future satellite development with a more robust system.

Although Unit 2 did not realize the artificial shooting star, a series of verifications in satellite development / launch / operation confirmed that the satellite design policy was correct, and at the same time, accumulated know-how on satellite launch and operation. By doing so, I think that we have approached the solid success of the artificial shooting star at Unit 3.

Realization of artificial shooting star
We aim to realize the world's first artificial shooting star in 2023 by using Unit 3, which is under development. The development schedule is as follows.

◇ Development schedule
  By 2021: Completion of EM (engineering model)
 Mid 2022: Completion of FM (flight model)
Late 2022: Launch
early 2023: Commercial operation started
* The timing is currently planned.

Comment from Rena Okajima, President and CEO
Thank you for always supporting ALE.

We are disappointed that we cannot meet the expectations of everyone who has been looking forward to the realization of an artificial shooting star within 2020. This time, one component of the satellite did not work well, but we were able to confirm that everything else was operating normally. “It was just one step further!” I once again felt the rigor of challenging the universe. Because there are few bright topics, I wanted to realize a shooting star that everyone can see from home.

Our passion for artificial shooting stars has not changed. We would like to utilize the knowledge gained in the development of Unit 3 to realize an artificial shooting star in early 2023. Next time I will definitely make it successful. We look forward to your continued support.

edit: (more Google translated text.)
It looks like a little muzzled cannon powered by compressed gas

[Asteroza]

Hrm, so based on the description, the ammo loader is sticking. If the overall mechanism is based on something similar to a gas cycled airsoft projectile launcher, that explains the muzzle brake present as part of the recoil management.

If I remember correctly, they wanted the ability to chose their particular meteor deployment pattern and not be dependent on load order, which suggest this isn't some simple single file projectile loader, but something that selects specific projectiles from the ammo canister. So they have all the headaches of a tank autoloader then...