# STARS-AO

> Japanese CubeSat space telescope

**Wikidata**: [Q60769671](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60769671)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stars-AO)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stars-ao

## Summary  
STARS‑AO (also known as Aoi or “STARS – Astronomical Observations”) is a Japanese 1‑U CubeSat that functions as a space telescope and technology‑demonstration spacecraft. It was built, launched, and operated by Shizuoka University on 29 October 2018 aboard an H‑IIA‑40 rocket and operated in low‑Earth orbit until contact was lost in May 2019.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 29 October 2018 (04:08 UTC) from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.  
- **Launch vehicle:** H‑IIA rocket, flight H‑IIA‑40.  
- **Mass:** 1 kg (launch weight).  
- **Form factor:** 1 U CubeSat (10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm).  
- **Operator & manufacturer:** Shizuoka University, Japan.  
- **Mission type:** Technology‑demonstration spacecraft and space telescope (nanosatellite).  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID:** 2018‑084J.  
- **Orbit:** Low‑Earth orbit (specific altitude not disclosed).  
- **Operational period:** 29 Oct 2018 – 10 May 2019 (loss of signal).  
- **Official website:** https://stars-ao.info/.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is STARS‑AO?  
A: STARS‑AO is a Japanese 1‑U CubeSat that carries a miniature space telescope, built to demonstrate astronomical observation capabilities on a nanosatellite platform.

### Q: When and how was STARS‑AO launched?  
A: It was launched on 29 October 2018 at 04:08 UTC from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex on an H‑IIA‑40 launch vehicle.

### Q: Who built and operated STARS‑AO?  
A: Shizuoka University in Japan designed, manufactured, and operated the satellite.

### Q: How long did STARS‑AO function in orbit?  
A: The satellite transmitted data until 10 May 2019, when contact was lost, giving it roughly seven months of operational life.

### Q: What was the purpose of STARS‑AO?  
A: Its primary goal was to demonstrate that a CubeSat could host a functional space telescope for astronomical observations, paving the way for low‑cost space science missions.

## Why It Matters  
STARS‑AO represents a pioneering step in democratizing space astronomy. By fitting a functional telescope into a 1‑U CubeSat, the mission proved that high‑value scientific payloads can be deployed on inexpensive, rapidly produced platforms. This lowers the barrier for universities and smaller nations to conduct space‑based observations, fostering broader participation in astrophysics research. The successful launch aboard Japan’s reliable H‑IIA vehicle and the collaboration with Shizuoka University showcase how academic institutions can directly contribute to space technology development. Although the mission ended after a few months, the data gathered and the engineering lessons learned inform future nanosatellite telescopes, potentially enabling constellations of low‑cost observatories for continuous sky monitoring, transient event detection, and educational outreach.

## Notable For  
- First Japanese CubeSat dedicated to astronomical observations.  
- Demonstrated a functional space telescope within a 1‑U (1 kg) nanosatellite bus.  
- Launched on a national medium‑lift vehicle (H‑IIA‑40), highlighting Japan’s launch capabilities for small satellites.  
- Operated by a university, illustrating academic leadership in space‑technology demonstration.  
- Provided several months of low‑Earth‑orbit data before the planned mission concluded with loss of signal.

## Body  

### Overview  
STARS‑AO (Space Telescope for Astronomical Research – AO) is a 1‑U CubeSat designed to test the feasibility of nanosatellite‑based astronomy. It carries a compact optical system capable of capturing images of bright celestial objects.

### Mission Profile  
- **Objective:** Validate optical performance, attitude control, and data downlink for a CubeSat telescope.  
- **Orbit:** Low‑Earth orbit; specific parameters not disclosed but typical for CubeSat deployments.  
- **Duration:** Operational from 29 Oct 2018 until signal loss on 10 May 2019.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 1 kg (launch mass).  
- **Dimensions:** 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm (1 U).  
- **Payload:** Miniature telescope with imaging sensor (details not publicly released).  
- **Power:** Solar panels on the CubeSat faces; battery for eclipse operations.  
- **Communications:** S‑band telemetry for command and data downlink.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 29 Oct 2018, 04:08 UTC.  
- **Site:** Yoshinobu Launch Complex, Launch Pad 1, Japan.  
- **Vehicle:** H‑IIA‑40, a Japanese expendable medium‑lift launch vehicle.  
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR 2018‑084J; NSSDC 2018‑084J.

### Operational History  
- **Initial Checkout:** Successful deployment and activation of attitude control and telescope systems.  
- **Data Collection:** Acquired astronomical images and performed technology validation tests.  
- **End of Mission:** Contact lost on 10 May 2019; mission concluded after ~7 months.

### Affiliations & Resources  
- **Operator/Manufacturer:** Shizuoka University, a Japanese higher‑education institution founded in 1949.  
- **Website:** https://stars-ao.info/ (English/Japanese).  
- **Further Reading:** Mission description at http://stars.eng.shizuoka.ac.jp/starsao.html (Japanese).

## Schema Markup  
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "STARS-AO",
  "description": "Japanese CubeSat space telescope built and operated by Shizuoka University.",
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/stars-ao.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://stars.eng.shizuoka.ac.jp/starsao.html)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2018-084J)