#company_number #JAXA #VERTECS #Kyushu Institute of Technology

Successful Launch of the VERTECS Satellite

The VERTECS (Visible Extragalactic Background Radiation Exploration by CubeSat) satellite has successfully completed its launch and established communication with its ground control station. Developed by a collaborative research team involving Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, and Tokyo University of Science, this ultra-small satellite aims to observe cosmic background radiation—an essential component in understanding the history of celestial formation.

Launched on June 12, 2026, at 9:53:59 AM Japan Standard Time from Tanegashima Space Center aboard the H3 rocket, VERTECS is a 6U CubeSat, measuring 100mm x 226mm x 340mm. It is equipped with a telescope specifically designed for visible light observation. By studying cosmic background radiation, which represents the total quantity of light emitted throughout the universe's history, VERTECS hopes to shed light on the dynamics of star formation across epochs.

As the satellite successfully reached its designated orbit, verification of its functions is now underway, with a stepwise process to confirm operational capabilities. Following the critical phase of initial operations, the scientific mission will proceed, leading to various potential discoveries.


Image: Logo of the VERTECS project

Institutional Collaboration

The VERTECS project is a product of substantial collaboration among various educational institutions and organizations. Key contributors include:

• - Kyushu Institute of Technology
• - JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
• - Kwansei Gakuin University
• - Tokyo University of Science
• - Kanazawa University
• - Tokyo University of Science
• - Fukui University
• - Koshina Co., Ltd.
• - Seiren Co., Ltd.
• - Image Tech Co., Ltd.

Additionally, international cooperation has been established with NTHU and NCHU from Taiwan, bringing a broader perspective to the research efforts.

Remarks from Project Leaders

1. Kyushu Institute of Technology (Representative: Kei Sano, Assistant Professor)
*“Thanks to everyone's efforts, we have successfully launched, set the satellite into orbit, and confirmed communication with the ground station. VERTECS will be the first astronomical satellite for Kyushu Institute of Technology, and we look forward to continuing astronomical observations and data analysis.