Suisen

Suisen (すいせん), also known as Fukui Prefectural Satellite is an Earth observation satellite of the Fukui Satellite Technology & Research Association (FSTRA). It was developed mainly by companies within Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The satellite is named for Fukui's prefectural flower, narcissus.[1]

Overview

Suisen was developed by a consortium of seven companies, led by Seiren Co., Ltd., and including Axelspace Corporation [ja]. Axelspace previously developed several small satellites, including Hodoyoshi 1 and RAPIS-1. Development began in 2015.[1]

Residents of Fukui Prefecture were invited to suggest the name for the satellite, and on 10 November 2019, Suisen was revealed as the chosen name.[2] Fukui Prefecture has used Hometown tax to collect the project's cost.[3] According to Fukui Prefecture, Suisen is the first case in Japan for a local government to lead a satellite project.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "県民衛星、宇宙へ 試行重ね「いよいよ」―産学官連携で全国初・福井". Jiji Press (in Japanese). March 19, 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  2. ^ "県民衛星の名称が「すいせん」に決定しました" (in Japanese). Fukui Prefecture. November 13, 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  3. ^ "福井県民衛星技術研究組合案内" (PDF). Sabaeseiki Corporation. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  4. ^ "全国初！自治体主導の人工衛星打ち上げ。福井県民衛星「すいせん」打ち上げを3/20（土）YouTubeで生中継" (Press release) (in Japanese). Kyodo News PR Wire. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "福井県民衛星「すいせん」3月20日に打ち上げ 全国初の自治体主導人工衛星". sorae (in Japanese). January 15, 2017. Retrieved 2021-03-20.