STAR Program:
Satellite Technology For The Asia-Pacific Region

• APRSAF-17 Concept Paper(PDF)
• APRSAF-16 Concept Paper(PDF)

STAR Program aims to:

• Provide opportunities to build capacity for Space Agency staff in the Asia-Pacific region in satellite development
• Increase the number of earth observation satellites that can be used in the Asia-Pacific Region to satisfy the future needs of the region

APRSAF satellite cooperation was proposed by JAXA at APRSAF-14 in 2007. It was agreed at APRSAF-15 in 2008 that the project be named STAR, and its office be located on the JAXA Sagamihara Campus. In April 2009, the project started in earnest.

STAR Program participants from Asia-Pacific countries are jointly im- plementing their missions; one of which is to carry out a needs survey and conceptual system study for earth observation satellites "EO- STAR", 300kg to 500kg. The other is to develop an actual satellite named "Micro-STAR", approximately 50kg. Details of the missions are explained below:

EO-STAR System Study

The STAR Program carries out a conceptual study, which will be based on the small scientific satellite standard bus.

MICRO-STAR Pilot Project Major Requirements

• Technology demonstration for EO-STAR
• The STAR international project team performs the planning, design,assembly, integration and test of Micro-STAR with the assistanceof JAXA.
• Capacity building: On the Job Training style
• Launch as a secondary payload

Participants' Contributions STAR Program participating organizations are expected to:

• dispatch engineers to the program
• provide launch opportunities for Micro-STAR as a secondary payload
• provide ground station resources to operate Micro-STAR
• provide the necessary on-board and ground instruments