IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd.

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News

2020 News

2020/12/07
IHI Aerospace Provides Hayabusa2 Re-Entry Capsule Support

IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd., provided support for the Hayabusa2 spacecraft re-entry capsule, which landed in Woomera, Australia, on December 6. The return to Earth completed a six-year, 5-billion-kilometer trek. IHI Aerospace participated in the capsule’s development for the Hayabusa2 Project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The Hayabusa2 probe surveyed the Ryugu asteroid and took samples. The capsule re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere at around 12 kilometers per second, with a surface temperature nearing 3,000°C. IHI Aerospace drew on its rocket development expertise to contribute to the capsule program in various ways. These included developing and manufacturing the heat shield and parachute deployment mechanism and integrating the parachute within the capsule. The company also assisted the JAXA team that undertook recovery, safety, and disassembly procedures for the capsule in Woomera.

As well as working on the capsule, IHI Aerospace developed mechanical systems and provided integration support for the Impactor. This shot a metal projectile into Ryugu to create a crater from which the Hayabusa2 probe could collect subsurface samples.

The IHI Group will continue to contribute to Japan’s space development through its technologies, employing advanced engineering capabilities to resolve social issues and help the Earth and humankind to flourish.

2020/09/29
IHI Aerospace Contributing to First Mission to Bring Martian Moon Samples to Earth through Propulsion System Order

IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, “IA”) announced today that IA has received an order from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to develop and manufacture a propulsion system for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe. The MMX mission is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) initiative. It will explore Mars moons Phobos and Deimos and bring back the first samples from Phobos. The launch is scheduled for 2024.

The probe will comprise propulsion, exploration, and return modules. The propulsion system’s propulsion and return modules will accelerate and decelerate to enter the desired orbit and control attitude. The system will encompass a 500N-class hydrazine and oxidizer rocket engine, 20 22N-class attitude control thrusters, and liquid propellant tanks.

Satellite propulsion systems must deliver a high specific impulse without compromising lightness and remain very reliable under hostile conditions throughout long missions. The order underpinned recognition of IA’s solid track record in propulsion systems for Japanese and foreign satellites. One notable order was for Kounotori (HTV), a cargo spacecraft that resupplies the International Space Station.

Beyond the propulsion system, IA is helping the JAXA develop the forward heat-shield, separation mechanism, and the parachute extension mechanism for the sample return capsule.

The IHI Group will continue contributing to this mission by leveraging the wide-ranging expertise of its space development businesses.

Reference:https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2020/aeroengine_space_defense/1196935_2038.html

2020/06/12
Signing of the “Basic Agreement” concerning the Epsilon S Launch Vehicle -IHI AEROSPACE satellite launch business-

IHI AEROSPACE CO., LTD (hereinafter, “IA”) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (hereinafter, “JAXA”) entered into the Basic Agreement on the Development of the Epsilon S Launch Vehicle (hereinafter, “Epsilon S”) and the Implementation of the Launch Service Business (hereinafter, the “Basic Agreement”)” on 11 June, 2020. Based on the Basic Agreement, IA, in cooperation with JAXA, will develop Epsilon S, and will provide launch services using Epsilon S all over the world.

The Epsilon Launch Vehicle is built upon solid-propellant rocket technology that Japan accumulated over more than 60 years since the early days of small experimental vehicle “Pencil Rocket”. During the first step, the Epsilon Launch Vehicle was developed by JAXA, and IA had played the key role of designing and manufacturing the rocket system. We contributed to all successful launches up to the fourth Epsilon Launch Vehicle and achieved high results. In the next step, IA in joint effort with JAXA will develop the Epsilon S based on the first step achievements, aiming at strengthening Epsilon’s international competitiveness by synergy effects from the H3 Launch Vehicle.

Last year, IA was designated as the prime contractor of rocket system for new Epsilon development and the private operator of launch service business using new Epsilon. After the designation, this new Epsilon project has been reviewed and judged as appropriate to move forward to start development, and named as “Epsilon S”. The Basic Agreement lays down fundamental matters such as the roles of JAXA and IA at the development and operational steps with an eye to establishing a framework to independently expand launch service business with the Epsilon S to commercial market, as well as to transforming the current space transportation system into an independent and sustainable business structure by maintaining and advancing the industrial basis.

In addition, JAXA has been awarded the launch contract of the Vietnamese Earth Observation satellite (LOTUSat-1) developed and manufactured by NEC. This launch will take place in 2023 with the Epsilon S demonstrator, which will be the first flight, and the first opportunity for launching overseas satellite by Epsilon series.

In recent years, as satellites getting smaller and the manufacturing cost getting lowered, satellite applications businesses are expanding. In response to this trend, we are expecting a bright forecast of increasing demands of satellite launches. IA will focus on development and launch service business activities worldwide aiming to expand the field of the space transportation.

Reference:https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2020/aeroengine_space_defense/1196644_2038.html

2020/04/01
“Basic Philosophy & Vision” were renovated

The Basic Philosophy of IHI AEROSPACE was devised in 2020, but by a change of the recent business structure and change of the value pursued in the company, will renovate it totally.

Conventional “Basic Philosophy”, “IA VISION” and “Code of conduct to realize the IA Vision” were rebuilt with “MISSION”, “VISION” and “IA WAY”.

For more details, please refer to the “About Us” of this homepage column.

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