Sakura

Sakura [Chiba Institute of Technology]

Sakura is a 1U-CubeSat developed by the Chiba Institute of Technology (Japan), with launch and integration services provided by Space BD Inc. The satellite is designed for Earth observation and space environment monitoring missions.

The mission focuses on both space-based and Earth-observation objectives. In orbit, SAKURA conducts monitoring of solar activity, including sunspots and solar flares, to contribute to space weather awareness. On Earth, it supports disaster observation by investigating flood damage along the Yellow River, assessing the spread of volcanic ash and cinder following eruptions, and analyzing the scale and impact of typhoons. These combined objectives position the satellite as a multi-purpose platform for environmental monitoring and hazard assessment.

The spacecraft was developed by the Chiba Institute of Technology as part of its academic and research initiatives in small satellite systems. Space BD Inc. serves as the service provider, facilitating launch arrangements and deployment. The satellite integrates compact imaging and sensing systems suitable for detecting large-scale environmental phenomena, along with communication subsystems supporting both data transmission and amateur radio applications.

It includes onboard sensors for solar observation and Earth imaging, a power system based body-mounted solar panels, and a communications payload that supports APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) operations. The APRS system includes digipeater functionality, enabling the satellite to relay amateur radio signals, thereby extending communication coverage.

It was launched in August 2024 onboard of Cygnus CRS-21 to the ISS, where it was deployed on 29 August 2024.