Kyushu Institute of Technology Holds Unveiling Ceremony for CubeSat 'VERTECS'
Kyushu Institute of Technology developed the CubeSat 'VERTECS', selected for JAXA's 'JAXA-SMASH' program, and held an unveiling ceremony at its Tobata Campus on May 14, 2026. The 6U satellite aims to unravel the history of celestial formation by observing cosmic background radiation. Launch is scheduled for June 10, 2026, on the H3 rocket flight 6.
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- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 16:31
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The Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) and its partners were selected for the satellite development phase in the first public call for proposals for the JAXA-SMASH program, conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) New Business Promotion Department. They have successfully developed the 'Visible Extragalactic background RadiaTion Exploration by CubeSat' (VERTECS).
The satellite, a 6U size (approx. 10cm x 20cm x 30cm) CubeSat, is equipped with a telescope for visible light observation. It aims to unravel the history of celestial formation by observing the 'cosmic background radiation,' which is the total amount of light emitted from the early universe to the present day.
To commemorate the completion of the 'VERTECS' CubeSat, an unveiling ceremony was held on May 14, 2026, at Kyutech's Tobata Campus.
At the ceremony, Kentaro Kitamura, Director of the Innovative Space Utilization Demonstration Center, delivered opening remarks, followed by an overview of the project provided by Assistant Professor Keisuke Sano of the Department of Space Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering. Afterward, the CubeSat was showcased to the media inside the university's clean room.
Following the handover of the satellite, it is scheduled to be launched and placed into orbit by the H3 rocket flight 6 (30 configuration test flight) on June 10, 2026.
The satellite, a 6U size (approx. 10cm x 20cm x 30cm) CubeSat, is equipped with a telescope for visible light observation. It aims to unravel the history of celestial formation by observing the 'cosmic background radiation,' which is the total amount of light emitted from the early universe to the present day.
To commemorate the completion of the 'VERTECS' CubeSat, an unveiling ceremony was held on May 14, 2026, at Kyutech's Tobata Campus.
At the ceremony, Kentaro Kitamura, Director of the Innovative Space Utilization Demonstration Center, delivered opening remarks, followed by an overview of the project provided by Assistant Professor Keisuke Sano of the Department of Space Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering. Afterward, the CubeSat was showcased to the media inside the university's clean room.
Following the handover of the satellite, it is scheduled to be launched and placed into orbit by the H3 rocket flight 6 (30 configuration test flight) on June 10, 2026.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Kyushu Institute of Technology's CubeSat VERTECS launched on June 10, 2026?
The CubeSat VERTECS aims to observe cosmic background radiation to unravel the history of celestial formation.
Which rocket will carry the CubeSat VERTECS into space on June 10, 2026?
The CubeSat VERTECS is scheduled to launch aboard the H3 rocket flight 6 on June 10, 2026.
Where did Kyushu Institute of Technology hold the unveiling ceremony for VERTECS on May 14, 2026?
The unveiling ceremony for VERTECS was held at Kyushu Institute of Technology's Tobata Campus on May 14, 2026.
What program selected the CubeSat VERTECS developed by Kyushu Institute of Technology?
The CubeSat VERTECS was selected for JAXA's JAXA-SMASH program by Kyushu Institute of Technology.
What is the size specification of the VERTECS satellite developed by Kyushu Institute of Technology?
The VERTECS satellite developed by Kyushu Institute of Technology is a 6U CubeSat.