HMU-SAT2

Last updated
HMU-SAT2
Mission typeEducation
Operator Hokkaido University of Science
Website https://www.nagano-c.ed.jp/komako/teruteru.html
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type CubeSat
Start of mission
Launch date26 October 2025
00:00:15 UTC
Rocket H3-24W
Launch site Tanegashima, LA-Y2
Deployed from ISS Kibō
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Inclination 51.6°

HMU-SAT2 is a nanosatellite for education and technical demonstration equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which can flash Morse codes. HMU-SAT2 was jointly developed by the Hokkaido University of Science, Koubou Okura, and the Komagane Technical High School. The satellite is nicknamed Teruteru, a name evoking Teru teru bōzu, Japanese handmade dolls hung to wish for sunny weather. HMU-SAT2 was launched by a H3 Launch Vehicle, and carried to the International Space Station (ISS) on board the HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft.

Contents

Overview

From 2022, Hokkaido University of Science and Komagane Technical High School began to develop HMU-SAT2 with support from Koubou Okura, a metal machining company based in Matsukawa town, Nagano. The satellite will send messages in Morse code using its LEDs. The messages will be visible from the Earth using telescopes, and observation will be conducted from locations including Kiso Observatory, Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory, and Ginga no Mori Astronomical Observatory in Japan, Mount Stromlo Observatory in Australia, Hilo High School in Hawaii, and Ghana. [1] [2] Senior students from Komagane Technical High School developed HMU-SAT2's LED panel and the programming for the Morse code. [3] [2]

The nickname of the satellite, Teruteru was decided by a contest, and the winning name was suggested by a student in Nagano Senior High School. [1] The name Teruteru represents two wishes. That the satellite will send, or 'tell' messages to Earth, and that the messages will shine (teru, spelled as 照る in Japanese) the hearts of people who received them. [4] A crowdfunding campaign was held to cover the testing and launch cost of the satellite. Rewards included the right to have one's name written in a plate inside HMU-SAT2, and writing senryū poems that will be projected from the satellite's LEDs in Morse code. [5] [2]

Spacecraft

The satellite is a 10 cm size cube, or a 1U size CubeSat, weighing 1.28kg. [6] On one side, the satellite has nine LEDs to enable observation from the ground. The satellite will be activated when it gets deployed from the ISS, and 10 seconds after it powers on, the LEDs will be illuminated to allow visual confirmation that the satellite is active and functioning. [7] HMU-SAT2 carries a total of 82 messages including senryū, that will be projected in Morse code by the satellite using its LEDs. [2] The satellite also stores photographic data of jigsaw puzzles by having it transcribed on metal plates. [8] The jigsaw puzzles have the messages from over a 2,000 people scribbled on its pieces. [9] To collect the messages, Koubou Okura president Masaharu Okura visited various locations, including local schools. [10]

Enb Spaceagent, a Japanese molding company is resonsible for four rotational panels on board HMU-SAT2. The panels are manufactured by welding two materials together: aluminium alloy, and Ultem (polyetherimide) resin. The gear mechanism for the panels are composed of gears manufactured by metal injection molding, and axle pins manufactured by insert molding. [11] The panels will rotate by a combination of rack and pinion mechanism and springs. [12]

References

  1. 1 2 "人工衛星「てるてる」" (in Japanese). Komagane Technical High School. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hayashi, Kimiyo (August 7, 2025). "宇宙の油井さんに届け！長野県の高校生らが開発した人工衛星てるてる". DSPACE (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  3. ↑ "冬に宇宙へ出発予定！小型人工衛星の愛称募集　長野の高校生80人が製作協力". The Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). March 1, 2024. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  4. ↑ "人工衛星HMU-SAT2の愛称が決定しました！" (in Japanese). Koubou Okura. June 23, 2024. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  5. ↑ "長野の工業高校生と下町工場が作った人工衛星を宇宙に飛ばしたい！" (in Japanese). READYFOR. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  6. ↑ "「てるてる重さ当てクイズ」結果発表！！" (in Japanese). Koubou Okura. July 16, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  7. ↑ "北海道科学大学など、21日に超小型人工衛星「てるてる」打ち上げへ". The Nikkei (in Japanese). October 18, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  8. ↑ "1500人の願いを宇宙へ！ジグソーパズル撮影会 in 工房大倉" (in Japanese). Koubou Okura. March 19, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  9. ↑ "宇宙に届くジグソーパズル完成！" (in Japanese). Koubou Okura. April 8, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  10. ↑ "松川中学校で講演会〜「自分の夢」について" (in Japanese). Koubou Okura. December 10, 2024. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  11. ↑ "縁舞SPACEAGENT 人工衛星部品を製作". Kanagata Shimbun (in Japanese). May 20, 2024. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  12. ↑ "HTV-X HTV-X1 Mission PRESS KIT" (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA . Retrieved 2025-10-24.
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