Development and Flight Result of Nanosatellite BEAK for Demonstration of Nano-size Planetary Atmospheric Probe Technology

Dr. Nagata Yasunori
JAXA

The nanosatellite BEAK (Breakthrough by Egg-derived Aerocapture Kilt vehicle) aimed to demonstrate advanced technologies for future planetary exploration using nano-size planetary atmospheric probe. BEAK is a 3U-sized nanosatellite integrating the key technologies required for planetary atmospheric entry within its size, thus it is a demonstrator of nano-size planetary atmospheric entry exploration technology. BEAK was designed to demonstrate orbit change through drag modulation by deployable aeroshell separation and orbit change by micro-thruster. These will lead to aerocapture technology for planetary orbit insertion of micro-spacecraft and control technology for landing point of nano-lander. Moreover, BEAK was designed to demonstrate lightweight deployable aeroshell using shape memory alloy, and we will acquire spacecraft design technology to realize a nano-lander to reach the planetary surface. BEAK was inserted into low Earth orbit by the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) from the ISS on December 18, 2023, and is estimated to have flown for 193 days before entering the atmosphere and burning out. Although only a part of the satellite's functions were verified due to in-flight device malfunctions, a flight-capable nanosatellite integrating a number of atmospheric entry technologies was successfully developed. In this talk, we summarize the development and flight results of the BEAK nanosatellite and the perspectives for the future.

Conference Hall (2nd floor/ Research and Administration Building A),　Via Zoom