STARS EC (Sanko)

STARS EC [Kagawa University]

Shizuoka University's STARS-EC (Space Tethered Autonomous Robotic Satellite - Elevator of CubeSat) consists of a Mother Satellite and a Daughter Satellite connected by a tether and a crawler, which moves along the tether.

This is the fifth mission of the STARS series. It fits into a 3U CubeSat form factor, but seperates into three 1U parts connected by a tether.

STARS-EC's mission is to demonstrate a space elevator using a 3U CubeSat. After deployment from the ISS, the satellite will split into three separate spacecraft, each the size of a 1U CubeSat. The spacecrafts on each end will be connected to the center satellite by a 11 m-long space tether, thus the satellites on the ends will be 22 m apart from one another. The satellite in the center will move back and forth along the tether, testing an orbital space elevator. Each spacecraft is equipped with a camera to monitor the elevator demonstration.

The satellite was launched on board of Cygnus CRS-15 on an Antares-230+ rocket to be delivered to the ISS.