EXTECOM’s products adopted for lunar exploration/evaluated for their ultra-thinness and high resolution

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The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which has a space exploration base, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), in Sagamihara City, Japan, has launched a small lunar landing demonstration vehicle, SLIM, following the asteroid probe HAYABUSA and the HAYABUSA2. The technology of a small to medium-sized manufacturing company with six employees will be used in the “SLIM,” a small-scale lunar landing demonstration vehicle launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) following the “HAYABUSA” and “HAYABUSA 2” lunar probe.
The company was established in Matsuda-cho in September 2005. EXT-COM (Higashi-Yamato 1), established in Matsuda-cho in September 2005, specializes in the development and design of “modulated wave resolvers” and “rotary encoders,” which detect the rotation angle and position of motors and other devices.
At a press conference held by JAXA on March 15 The company’s products are used in the actuator unit of the mobile exploration robot “LEV1,” which will be mounted on the SLIM. The company’s “ultra-thin” modulated wave resolver will be used in the actuator unit of the mobile exploration robot “LEV1,” which will be mounted on SLIM. The company delivered two units to ISAS last spring, one for experimental use and the other for onboard use.
President Tadao Chino learned of the adoption of the LEV1 in the Sagami Keizai Shimbun, and told the newspaper, “I was surprised to hear that it was adopted for the lunar exploration. I hope the mission will be successful.
In the field of space exploration, the harsh environment of high and low temperatures and strong cosmic rays (radiation and electromagnetic waves) requires more precise control than on the ground, where there is gravity and air. The company’s modulated wave resolvers do not use wound coils and have a simpler structure than other companies’ standard resolvers, and they are resistant to vibration, shock, and dust.
The Moon’s gravity is one-sixth that of the Earth’s. The temperature at the equator is 110°C during the day and 17°C below zero at night, a difference of 280°C. Therefore, it is necessary to match the expansion rate of the materials of the parts with that of other equipment, or to use a vacuum. Therefore, it is necessary to match the expansion rate of the component materials with other equipment, and to use resins and adhesives that do not generate gas in a vacuum.
The “ultra-thin” modulated wave resolver used in LEV1 is thinner than a coin, measuring 15 mm in size (excluding cables and connectors) and 2.5 mm thick. The “ultra-thin” modulated wave resolver used in the LEV1 has a resolution of 8,192 mm (360° with 8,192 divisions), yet is smaller and thinner than a coin. With the cooperation of JAXA, we were able to create a resolver with a resolution of 8,192 mm (an accuracy of 8,192 divisions of 360 degrees). With the cooperation of JAXA, the materials used for the case and cables, as well as the adhesives, have been reviewed and improved to withstand a wide range of temperatures, from 50 degrees below zero to 240 degrees, as well as radiation.
SLIM’s main mission is to make pinpoint landings on gravitationally active celestial bodies, and one of its objectives is to verify low-cost and labor-saving solutions for more frequent exploration programs. The company’s modulated wave resolver is compact and lightweight, so it was able to smoothly meet the requirements presented by JAXA.
The company is also working on an experimental device called “SOLISS” for bidirectional optical communications between the International Space Station (ISS) and ground stations. The company also supplies modulated wave resolvers for SOLISS, an experimental device for bidirectional optical communications between the ISS and ground stations. The device, developed by Sony Research Institute, was launched by the KOUNOTORI No. 8 cargo transporter in September 2007 and is installed on the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.
The company applied for the Open Lab in 2011 after being approached by JAXA, and joined the Space Exploration Innovation Hub in 2004. President Chino emphasizes, “The credibility of JAXA’s accreditation is strong.
Products and technologies born from collaboration “JAXA　After being certified as a “COSMODE,” the company received offers for mass production from auto parts manufacturers, camera manufacturers, and other companies. JAXA has received offers from auto parts manufacturers, camera manufacturers, and others to mass-produce the product. There have also been several inquiries from the space industry, which manufactures satellites and probes. JAXA has made two offers to participate in the project in two years, and the company is already moving toward delivery of the products.