Rocket Lab Launches Eight JAXA Satellites on Kakushin Rising Mission

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Rocket Lab successfully launched eight satellites for Japan late Wednesday night as part of its Kakushin Rising mission, supporting the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. Liftoff occurred at 11:09 PM EDT Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 (0309 UTC Thursday, 23rd April 2026) from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The mission carried a diverse set of small satellites designed to test new technologies and expand capabilities in low Earth orbit. The launch continues Rocket Lab’s steady cadence of dedicated smallsat missions.

The Electron rocket deployed all eight spacecraft into low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 336 miles (540 kilometres). Deployment occurred less than one hour after liftoff, in line with mission expectations. Rocket Lab confirmed the successful separation of all payloads shortly after the event. The mission marked the 79th launch of the Electron launch vehicle.

Kakushin Rising represents the second of two contracted launches for JAXA’s technology demonstration program. The first mission, RAISE and Shine, launched in December 2025 and carried the RAISE-4 satellite to orbit. Together, the missions highlight Japan’s continued investment in rapid, cost-effective access to space for experimental payloads. These efforts support the development of new satellite technologies and operational concepts.

The eight satellites on this mission include MAGNARO-II, KOSEN-2R, WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II, FSI-SAT2, OrigamiSat-2, ARICA-2, Mono-Nikko, and PRELUDE. The payloads range from educational CubeSats to advanced technology demonstrators, including systems for remote sensing, communications, and deployable structures. One satellite features an antenna that can expand to many times its stowed size using origami-inspired techniques. These missions provide valuable on-orbit validation for emerging technologies. Several of the satellites are IARU-coordinated, including MAGNARO-II, KOSEN-2R, WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II, and ARICA-2, with amateur radio downlinks in the VHF and UHF bands. Early reports from the SatNOGS network indicate that multiple satellites are already transmitting, with CW beacon signals received from MAGNARO-II, ARICA-2, 

WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II, FSI-SAT2, and OrigamiSat-2 within hours of launch. These initial receptions confirm successful early operations and provide immediate opportunities for amateur radio operators to monitor and decode signals. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, a 59-foot-tall (18 metres) launch vehicle, is designed to provide responsive and dedicated access to space for small payloads. The company continues to support commercial, government, and research missions with frequent launches. Rocket Lab also operates a suborbital variant known as HASTE for hypersonic testing applications. The Kakushin Rising mission further demonstrates the growing role of small launch providers in enabling international space missions.

Media Article - https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/rocket-lab-launch-eight-japanese-satellites-kakushin-rising-mission

FO-29 Enters Full Sunlight: Veteran Satellite Sees Renewed Activity in 2026

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FO-29 Enters Full Sunlight: Veteran Satellite Sees Renewed Activity in 2026

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29), also known as JAS-2, the Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in August 1996, has entered a new operational phase as of early March 2026. Now approaching its 30th anniversary in orbit, the satellite—long limited by failed batteries—relies entirely on solar panel illumination for power, meaning it only functions during sunlight periods and shuts down in eclipse.

In February 2026, the FO-29 control team (operated from Japan) continued scheduled activations of the linear transponder, with commands sent on specific dates to turn it on for limited windows. Operators noted the unstable situation due to the satellite’s age, with activations sometimes failing if the onboard voltage didn’t respond quickly enough. The transponder operates in Mode V/u (inverting SSB/CW): uplink LSB 145.900–146.000 MHz, downlink USB 435.800–435.900 MHz, with a CW beacon on 435.795 MHz.

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Thailand’s KNACKSAT-2 CubeSat Preparing for Deployment from the ISS

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Thailand’s KNACKSAT-2 CubeSat Preparing for Deployment from the ISS

Thailand’s KNACKSAT-2 satellite is preparing for deployment from the International Space Station, with release currently scheduled for 3rd February 2026, at 08:55 UTC (03:55 AM EST). The mission continues Thailand’s university-led CubeSat development program following the earlier KNACKSAT-1 mission. The project is led by King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok in Thailand, working with domestic and international partners to advance satellite engineering, payload integration, and on-orbit operations.

KNACKSAT-2 was transported to the International Space Station in late 2025 and is a 3U CubeSat designed to host multiple payloads. The satellite expands on KNACKSAT-1, which demonstrated Thailand’s ability to design and build a satellite domestically. Development and testing were conducted in cooperation with NBSPACE and other academic and research partners. The mission is intended to help Thailand develop multi-payload CubeSat platforms and prepare for future ride-share launch opportunities.

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