Tokyo Japan taken by the Hodoyoshi 3 satellite. Photo: The University of Tokyo, Hodoyoshi 3&4 Project.

[Via Satellite 05-11-2015] Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has announced that an Epoch IPS ground system from Kratos Integral Systems International (Kratos ISI) is providing command and control for two Japanese micro-satellites. The University of Tokyo developed the Hodoyoshi 3 and Hodoyoshi 4 spacecraft as part of the FIRST program of the Cabinet Office of Japan. Launched in June 2014, the satellites are now operational and transmitting Earth observation images.

The Epoch IPS system was provided under the contract with Fujitsu Limited Japan and Integral Systems Japan to support development and testing of the micro-satellites at the University of Tokyo and provides command and control for them once in orbit.

The Epoch T&C Server and the Epoch Client modules provide command and control for the satellites. The server provides complete off-the-shelf satellite telemetry and command processing for operations and test environments. The client provides complete operations capability for real-time monitoring and control of all satellite and ground equipment systems and functions.

Hodoyoshi 3 has 40-meter and 200-meter GSD cameras and Hodoyoshi 4 has a 6-meter GSD camera to capture Earth remote sensing images. Hodoyoshi 4’s first wide-angle camera image was successfully downlinked. Newly developed advanced components such as a high-speed X-band transmitter and an ion propulsion system will also be tested on Hodoyoshi 4.