# Super Low Altitude Test Satellite

> former JAXA satellite which demonstrated operations in very low Earth orbit

**Wikidata**: [Q22084833](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22084833)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Low_Altitude_Test_Satellite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/super-low-altitude-test-satellite

## Summary
The Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS), also known as "Tsubame," was a Japanese technology demonstration spacecraft operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of satellite operations in very low Earth orbit (VLEO). The satellite was manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, launched on December 23, 2017, and concluded its mission with atmospheric entry on October 1, 2019.

## Key Facts
- **Also Known As:** SLATS, Tsubame
- **Operator:** Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- **Manufacturer:** Mitsubishi Electric
- **Launch Date:** December 23, 2017 (01:26:22)
- **Launch Vehicle:** H-IIA (Flight 37)
- **Launch Site:** Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1
- **Launch Mass:** 383 kg
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017-082B
- **Mission End:** Atmospheric entry on October 1, 2019
- **Power Systems:** Spacecraft solar arrays (2 units, 1140 W) and ion thruster

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Super Low Altitude Test Satellite?
A: The primary purpose of SLATS was to demonstrate orbital operations in a "super low" altitude orbit, which is lower than typical Earth observation satellites. This technology demonstration aimed to verify the use of an ion thruster to maintain altitude against atmospheric drag.

### Q: When was the satellite launched and how long was it operational?
A: The satellite launched on December 23, 2017, aboard an H-IIA rocket. It entered service on April 2, 2019, and was retired on September 30, 2019, just short of two years after launch.

### Q: What happened to the satellite at the end of its mission?
A: The satellite was decommissioned and underwent a controlled atmospheric entry on October 1, 2019, destroying the spacecraft.

## Why It Matters
The Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS) represents a significant step in aerospace engineering by addressing the challenges of very low Earth orbit (VLEO). Operating in VLEO offers distinct advantages for Earth observation, including higher resolution imaging and lower latency for communications, but maintaining orbit is difficult due to increased atmospheric drag.

SLATS served as a critical testbed for overcoming these obstacles. By successfully utilizing an ion thruster to counteract atmospheric drag, the satellite demonstrated the technical viability of keeping a spacecraft stable at altitudes where conventional satellites would quickly decay. This mission provided valuable data on propulsion and materials necessary for future satellites that require closer proximity to Earth, potentially paving the way for more accurate weather monitoring and scientific research.

## Notable For
- Being the first JAXA satellite specifically designed for operations in very low Earth orbit.
- Demonstrating the use of ion thruster technology to maintain orbit against high atmospheric drag.
- Operating at altitudes significantly lower than standard Earth observation satellites.
- Launching as a co-passenger on the H-IIA flight that deployed the "Shikisai" satellite.
- Being a "former entity" that completed its mission life cycle via atmospheric entry.

## Body
### Development and Specifications
The Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS), designated "Tsubame," was a technology demonstration spacecraft developed by Japan. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The spacecraft had a launch mass of 383 kilograms and was equipped with two solar arrays capable of generating 1140 watts of power.

### Launch and Deployment
SLATS was launched on December 23, 2017, at 01:26:22. It flew aboard an H-IIA-37 launch vehicle, lifting off from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1. The launch event also included the deployment of the satellite "Shikisai."

### Mission Timeline
Following its launch in late 2017, SLATS officially entered its operational service phase on April 2, 2019. The mission was relatively short-lived following service entry; the spacecraft was retired on September 30, 2019, at 00:42. It was officially decommissioned shortly after on October 1, 2019, at 10:13, subsequently performing an atmospheric entry, where it burned up upon re-entry.

### Technical Identifiers
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 43066
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017-082B
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11bxf3zqd7
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "43066"]

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/slats.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.satnavi.jaxa.jp/ja/project/slats/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/slats/)
5. [Source](https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2019/03/20190318a.html)
6. [Source](https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2019/10/20191002a.html)
7. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43066)