JAXA Offer of H-2A Capacity Greeted With Enthusiasm, Caution

摘要

Japan's university-based space researchers welcomed a government offer of free piggyback flights aboard the nation's workhorse H-2A rocket, but concerns about the accompanying safety and integration standards tempered their enthusiasm. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) issued a solicitation for candidate pay-loads weighing up to 50 kilograms for once-a-year H-2A flight opportunities starting in 2008, the agency's Industrial Collaboration Department said in a May 10 press release. The initial round of proposals is due in August, and to qualify, the candidate satellites must promote space utilization and help train new engineers.