Recent Status of Small Satellite Study in Japan

This paper describes the recent status of small satellite study in Japan focusing on the activities of the Small Payload WorkShop (SPWS) which was established in January, 1990. The objectives of SPWS are to review the development of small satellite and its launching system, to study the possible mission, to exchange information, to pick up and study the issues to be solved and to contribute to the good and efficient development of the future plan of small satellite utilization in Japan. The discussion to initiate the SPWS is reviewed briefly. The paper describes the recent studies of small satellites missions and launching systems as well as the Japanese small satellites which have been launched so far.