LEOPARD

Last updated
LEOPARD
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
Operator Kyushu Institute of Technology
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
Delivered by HTV-X1
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Inclination 51.6°

LEOPARD (Light intensity Experiment with On-orbit Positioning and satellite Ranging Demonstration) is a nanosatellite developed by Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which will demonstrate multiple technologies including multispectral cameras to monitor horizon glow, and on board processing of one-way radio signals. The satellite was developed by students from 17 countries. [1] The satellite's size is 10cm×10cm×30cm, or a 3U size CubeSat. LEOPARD was launched on 26 October 2025 on a H3 Launch Vehicle, and was carried to the International Space Station (ISS) on board HTV-X1. LEOPARD will be deployed from the ISS's Kibō module. [2]

Contents

Mission

Following its deployment from the ISS, LEOPARD will conduct several technology demonstration missions. The satellite will deploy solar panels using shape-memory alloy (SMA) and a heating system. [1] SMAs were selected for use instead of traditional springs in order to create a thin deployment mechanism. [3]

Nanyang Technological University in Singapore developed LEOPARD's Single-Event Latch-up (SEL) mission payload, which will monitor ionizing space radiation. Space radition can interact with electronic on board spacecrafts and cause them to malfunction, a phonomena known as single-event effects. LEOPARD's SEL mission payload consists of two microcontrollers with identical functions: one using radiation-hardened microchips, and one using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. [1]

MSC

LEOPARD's Multispectral camera mission, or MSC will photograph Earth's atmosphere when the Sun is below the horizon, to observe Rayleigh scattering and aerosol scattering. [2] The MSC payload has an RGB camera and a near-infrared camera. LEOPARD will use its attitude control system to point the cameras while conducting an observation. [1]

OPERA

OPERA (Onboard Processing of Earth-origin one-way Radio ranging signal) is a technology demonstration mission that will determine the satellite's orbit without the use of global navigation satellite system such as GPS. Multiple Earth-based parabolic antenna of a few meter size and synchronized with one another, will send signals to the satellite in S band. The signals will be sent in a predetermined time epoch. The satellite will then track the time the signals arrived, along with the Doppler shift of the signals it received. From the difference in the relative time delay in receiving the signals, OPERA will estimate its own position in orbit. OPERA is expected to be able to position the satellite with an accuracy of few kilometers. The OPERA device occupies 0.5U of volume in the satellite. [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Orger, Necmi Cihan; Schulz, Victor Hugo; Corodova-Alarcon, Jose Rodrigo; Abdalla, Hanadi; Esit, Mehmet; Kushimoto, Makiko; Aziz, Sara; Cho, Mengu; Pham Anh, Minh; Mindaro, Hery Steven; Ratatamanun, Subsinchai; Ochirsukh, Enkhmend; Etti-Balogun, Husseinat; Kubo, Shota; Kudakwashe, Jeje; Tena, Thibaut; Ndayishimiye, Rafiki Yves; Nakayama, Daisuke; Sanli, Alper; Nishinaga, Konosuke; Oboshi, Akihiro; Mujuni, Edgar; Nyamakondiwa, Ramson Munyaradgi; Polimey, IM; Hidaka, Hiroto; Masui, Hirokazu; Rosales, Josue Reynel Galindo (10 August 2025). LEOPARD: Demonstrating CubeSat Technologies for Light Scattering Observations and Satellite Positioning in LEO for Future University-Based Lunar Missions. 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference. Logan, Utah: Utah State University . Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 "HTV-X HTV-X1 Mission PRESS KIT" (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA . Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  3. ↑ "Annual Progress Report 2022" (PDF) (in Japanese). Kyushu Institute of Technology. March 2023. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
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