32th Satellite Design Contest Application Guidebook
Satellite Design Contest Executive Committee
Organizer:
The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME); The Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space
Sciences (JSASS); The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE); The
Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (SGEPSS); The Astronomical Societyof Japan (ASJ); The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); The Society for Promotion of Space
Science (SPSS); Japan Space Forum (JSF); Japanese Rocket Society
Sponsor:National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office; The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology; The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry;
Japan Ministry of Defense
Co-sponsor:
Technosolver Corporation, BCC; Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT); Aska Electric
Co.,Ltd; LSAS Tec CO., Ltd.; HANYUDA.CO.,LTD.; TAMAGAWA SEIKI Co.,Ltd.
Special cooperation:
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, an incorporated administrative agency(NICT); Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; NEC Corporation; ElevationSpace Inc.
Planning & Operation: The Satellite Design Contest Executive Committee

1. Aims
This Contest provides an opportunity to more actively conduct basic and applied research related to spacescience and technology and is intended for high school students, technical college students, andundergraduate/postgraduate students at universities and colleges. It also aims to contribute to the
expansion of space development in Japan. We call on students to submit unique, creative ideas including
small satellites, various space related missions, and design concepts. Awards will be given to those groups(or individuals) who have submitted excellent proposals.
In the Design Category in particular, we evaluate skills in "reliable manufacturing", starting from theemerging stage of the concept to its actual realization.
This contest also offers an opportunity for education by experts in satellite developments. From this pointof view, we will give appropriate guidance to promising applicants, and encourage them to re-submit
revised ideas that were unsuccessful in past contests.

2. Category
1The Contest consists of three categories: the Design Category, Idea Category, and Junior Category.
● Design Category: For postgraduate and undergraduate students● Idea Category: For postgraduate, undergraduate, and technical college students* High school students can participate, but please be aware that their proposals will be judged
according to a university-level standard of knowledge.
* More than a high level of design completeness is required for postgraduate students. Their idea
must be truly creative and unique, and appropriate for the graduate school level.
● Junior Category: For technical college (first or second year only) and high school students* Junior high school students can apply, but they must comprise half or fewer of the group members.
<Please note (for all three categories>)* Groups or individuals can apply.
* The number of members is limited to 10 or fewer per group.
* The group may include their teacher as a member.
* The team can consist of students from different schools.
* A proposal that was unsuccessful in the Initial Screening (documentary examination) of a past
Contest can be treated as a new application as long as it has been improved significantly, taking into
account guidance from the Review Committee during the screening process, additional
developments, etc. In that case, you must clearly write what has been improved on a separate sheetof paper.

3. Application process* Please visit the website for details.
[Satellite Design Contest website] <https://www.satcon.jp>(1) Registration procedure
You must register before submitting your work. For more details, see “How to apply” and “Documents
to be submitted” on the website. <https://www.satcon.jp/contest/>● Registration form: Download from the website.
● How to submit the registration form: Send the registration form by e-mail to the secretariat orregister online (form).
● E-mail address: (Satellite Design Contest Secretariat) satconjimu@jsforum.or.jp● Registration deadline: Monday, May13, 2024, 5:00PM (JST)(2) Bank transfer of the registration fee● Design Category/Idea Category: 3,000 Japanese Yen● Junior Category: 1,000 Japanese Yen
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● Bank account information:* Please transfer the registration fee for each theme.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation TOKYOKOUMUBU (096)
Ordinary Account: 3014468
Beneficiary’s Name: NIHON UCHU FORUM* Please note that we cannot return the registration fee, even if you withdraw from the Contest.
* Make sure to complete the bank transfer by the registration deadline.

(3) Submission of works
For information about the documents to be submitted, see “How to apply” and “Documents to besubmitted” on the website. <https://www.satcon.jp/contest/>● Submission method: Send your work to the secretariat via e-mail as PDF or Word files.
● E-mail address: (Satellite Design Contest Secretariat) <satconjimu@jsforum.or.jp>● Submission deadline: Monday, July 8, 2024, 12:00PM (JST)

4. Screening Process
4.1 Initial Screening (Paper examination)(1) 10 to 15 works are selected in total through documentary examination.
(2) The selection results are notified to the representatives, together with advice, questions, andcomments from the Review Committee.
(3) The result notification period is from late August to early September.

4.2 Final Review (Presentation)(1) Date: Saturday, November23, 2024 (JST)(2) Format: Hybrid conference with a choice of in-person or remote participation* Overseas schools will participate online.
* The Zoom app will be used for online sessions.
* The venue (in Tokyo) has not yet been determined. Final Round participants will be contactedwith more information.
* Presentations will be streamed live on YouTube.

(3) Presentation time (per entry)
Design Category: 40 minutes (presentation 20 minutes, Q&A 20 minutes)
Idea Category: 20 minutes (presentation 10 minutes, Q&A 10 minutes)
Junior Category: 15 minutes (presentation 5 minutes, Q&A 10 minutes/the Q&A session willtake place in front of your poster for in-person presentations)* The presentation times may change depending on the results of the Initial Screening.

(4) Presenters: Up to three people3(5) Language: Japanese or English(6) Method: See page 8 for details, including the documents to be submitted and deadline.
● Online presentation: Can include PowerPoint slides, video, a mockup model, etc. (all categories).
● In-person presentation: Can include PowerPoint slides, video, a mockup model, etc. You canbring your mockup model to the venue and exhibit it (all categories).

4.3 Evaluation criteria
4.3.1 Design Category
The evaluation is based on the following points, with particular focus on the applicant’s knowledge andapplication skills related to satellite design technology, their depth of consideration, and accuracy.
(1) Significance, uniqueness, and value of the mission(2) Originality and ingenuity of the design(3) Clarity of the design’s scientific and technical basis, feasibility that has been quantitatively tested(4) Sufficient completeness of the design as a satellite system/subsystem(5) Sufficient and suitable improvements considering the advice, questions, and comments from theInitial Screening (Final Review only)(6) Good presentation abilities and attitude, sufficient persuasive skills (Final Review only)

4.3.2 Idea Category
The evaluation is based on the following points, with particular focus on scientific and technical feasibility,
whether the proposal has been verified based on university-level knowledge, and the novelty andusefulness of the mission concept.
(1) Sufficient originality of the mission(2) Significance and usefulness of conducting the mission in space, such as no alternative meanson Earth(3) The scientific basis of the idea and technical basis for its realization are clearly described andverified(4) If the idea resembles a past mission, whether there are clear differences and improvements
based on the evaluation of that mission(5) Sufficient responses to the advice, questions, and comments from the Initial Screening (Final
Review only)(6) Good presentation abilities and attitude, clear explanations (Final Review only)

4.3.3 Junior Category
The evaluation is based on the following points, with particular focus on whether the mission concept canbe utilized in space, whether simple experiments have been conducted, and the novelty and usefulnessof the mission concept.
(1) The idea has sufficient merit to be implemented in space4(2) Clearly stated sequence for coming up with the mission (including reference materials,
documents, etc.)(3) The idea is not just a vision; its feasibility has been appropriately validated(4) Responses to the advice, questions, and comments from the Initial Screening (Final Review
only)(5) The members have actually conducted simple experiments, etc. (Final Review only)(6) Good presentation abilities and attitude (Final Review only)

5. Awarding
Based on the Initial Screening ant the Final Review, the following awards are granted to those proposals
that proceeded to the Final Review. The Grand awards will be given to the best work (usually one) of eachCategory, and the other awards will be given to works that are suitable for the activity of the respective
award presenters. In addition, the Best Model Award is decided by votes by members of Committees. Eachaward winner, except those of (5), will also be given a trophy as an auxiliary prize.
(1) Design Grand Award (The best work in the Design Category)(2) Idea Grand Award (The best work in the Idea Category)(3) Junior Grand Award (The best work in the Junior Category)(4) The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Award, The Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space
Sciences Award, The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Award,
The Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences Award, The Astronomical
Society of Japan Award, The Society for Promotion of Space Science Award, and The Japan Space
Forum Award.
(5) The Special Award from the Review Committee Chair, The Encouragement Awards (The Design
and Idea Categories), The Junior Experiment Award (the Junior Category), The Junior
Encouragement Awards (the Junior Category), and The Best Model Award (the Design and Idea
Categories).

6. Design Conditions
The proposals for each Category must meet the following design conditions.

6.1 Design Category(1) Constraints：[Mass] Up to 50kg
[Configuration] Fit in 50cm×50cm×50cm space when launched.
[Launch environment] The mechanic design must be made to withstand the following conditions.
・Random vibration (3-axis common)
20～200Hz+3db/oct

Effective value
5200～2000Hz

0.032G2/Hz

7.8Grms

100

1000

PSD [G2/Hz]

0.1

0.01

0.001

10

周波数 [Hz]

Frequency [Hz]・Sine wave vibration level
Axis direction
Axis orthogonal direction
・Quasi-static acceleration
Axis direction
Axis orthogonal direction

2.5 Go-p (5～100Hz)
2.0 Go-p (5～100Hz)+5.0/-6.0G±5.0G

・Rigidity requirements (the first-order natural frequency of the satellite when its separation
plane is rigidly fixed)
Thrust direction
higher than 120Hz
Lateral direction
higher than 60Hz
The above launch environment is regarded as the acceptance test (AT) level (to confirm issues withthe satellite/limit load equivalent). It is preferred if the design can withstand the qualification test (QT)
level (to confirm issues/ultimate load equivalent) in consideration of the safety margin.
*The design must incorporate an appropriate safety factor.
*The same environment conditions apply to both the 50 kg class and the CubeSat class.
* Even if the proposal employs multiple satellites, their summed mass and the total dimension
must meet the same requirements as above.
(2) Mission objectives:
The mission objectives are unspecified, and can be various, including technology demonstrations,scientific observations, space explorations, civil and business applications, and entertainments. To
achieve the mission objective(s), the applicants may freely choose the most appropriate orbit
configurations, such as near-Earth orbits, Lagrange and points, transfer and Lunar orbits, and deepspace trajectories. If the constraints of (1) are considered inappropriate or inapplicable to the selected

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orbit condition, these may be modified, on the condition that a suitable alternative launching vehicle
is specified, and the associated launch/operation environments are elucidated.
(3) Based on the constraints as stated above, the applicants must concretely design the overall
satellite system, including the mechanical and thermal structures, electrical power budgets,
feasibilities for the telecommunication and data transfer, and the onboard instrument(s) needed tocarry out the mission. If the mission requires particular orbit and attitude constraints, the orbit- andattitude- control subsystems must be designed likewise. In short, the applicants must convince thatthe design they have made will lead to a successful achievement of the proposed mission objective(s).

6.2 Idea Category(1) Constraints:
The configuration and mass are limited to either a small rocket, an Epsilon Launch Vehicle, an H-IIA
Launch Vehicle, or International Space Station.
(2) Objective: The same as 7.1 (2). In addition, mission concepts that cannot be substituted for by
non-space means are encouraged.
(3) Unlike the Design Category, detailed designs are not required, but the technical basis for therealization of the proposed ideas must be clarified.

6.3 Junior Category(1) Constraints:
The configuration and mass are limited to a small rocket, H-IIA Launch Vehicle, Epsilon Launch
Vehicle and/or International Space Station.
(2) Objective:

Any mission can be proposed, as long as it is a space utilization attempt which

involves satellites, satellite instruments, lunar and planetary explorations, and the ISS utilization.

7. Documents to be Submitted (for the Initial Screening)
Documents should all be publishable, except the personal information. The Analysis part (the Design
Category only) is a very important document which is to be used for the evaluation. Be sure to make thedocuments easy to understand. If the work contains techniques that can be patented, the applicants areadvised to apply for the patents and acquire them in advance.
More specifically, follow the guidelines for the document preparation (see the attached “Document
Preparation Guidelines).
(1) All documents must use A4 format, with the top, bottom, left and right margins more than 20 mm.
(2) Font size: 10.5 pt. or larger, except mathematical formulae and figure captions. For clarity, uselarge or bold letters for titles and points to be emphasized.
(3) Each document must strictly keep the page limit as specified below. A cover page should be7

omitted to make an effective use of pages. Unlike the Satellite Overview part, The Satellite Analysis
document does not require any frames. Each page may be divided into two columns.
* In order not to violate the copyright credits, explicitly state the source(s) when the works byothers (including ideas, papers, calculations, images, music, and any other forms) are quoted,
and when applicable, go through the necessary procedures such as asking for a license.
* Generative AI does not always give the correct answer for highly specialized items. Therefore, use itwith extreme caution when using it. If you publish incorrect information as a result, you will be
responsible for it, so please be sure to check or re-check for errors yourself (please state that you used
the generated AI as well as the citation).

7.1 Design Category(1) The Satellite Overview document, prepared in the specified style (a template shall be provided). It
should describe the purpose, the orbit, operational methods, the ways to obtain the aimed results(including the mission instruments), the ground station(s), the satellite body, and the entire systemof the satellite. Applicants are encouraged to use appropriate figures. The total length should be 3
pages at most.
(2) The Satellite Design Analysis document, which complements (1) by providing the basis for theemployed techniques, detailed calculations (say, of the power budget and of the needed telemetryrate), and preliminary experiments if any. It should be prepared conforming to the attached“Satellite Analysis Preparation Guidelines”, keeping the total length of maximum 37 pages.
(3) If you have made improvements to a past application and are re-submitting it, clearly write what
has been improved on a separate sheet of paper. The improvements are not included in thespecified page count.

7.2 Idea Category(1) The Mission Overview document. See 7.1 (1).
(2) The Mission Overview document prepared following the attached “Mission Analysis Preparation
Guidelines”. It complements (1) and explains from various aspects that the proposed mission
concept is feasible. The total number of pages is limited up to 7. If this page limit appears too tight,
you may consider applying to the Design Category instead.
(3) If you have made improvements to a past application and are re-submitting it, clearly write what
has been improved on a separate sheet of paper. The improvements are not included in thespecified page count.

7.3 Junior Category(1) The Junior Mission Overview document, prepared in the specified style (a template should be
provided) as described in the attached “Junior Overview Preparation Guidelines”. The total numberof pages must be 3 pages at most. It should explain the aim and methods of the proposal, its
8novelty and uniqueness, and results from preliminary experiments if any.
(2) If necessary, you may submit Supplementary Material for further explanation. The total length must
be up to 3 pages.
(3) If you have made improvements to a past application and are re-submitting it, clearly write what
has been improved on a separate sheet of paper. The improvements are not included in thespecified page count.

8. Instructions to the finalists
8.1 Design Category / Idea Category
If you pass the Initial Screening, fabricate a mockup model of the satellite/instrument (any materials are
accepted including aluminum, plywood, corrugated paper, etc.). The model should preferably be full size,
but if it is too big, a scale model is acceptable. If the work is not suitable for a mockup model (such as aproposal for a new software or communication method), a CG movie or similar image is acceptable.
Please consult with the secretariat.
● Online presentation: Create a presentation movie (two minutes) and give an explanation using
your mockup model.
● In-person presentation: Present on stage using your mockup model. It will also be exhibited at thevenue.

8.2 Junior Category
If you pass the Initial Screening, create one poster about your work.
● Online presentation: Submit your poster in advance as PDF data. You can also make a mockup
model or experimental device and submit images of them.
● In-person presentation: Create a poster (A1 size or smaller; you can also combine two A2-size
pages, etc.) and bring it to the venue. You can also make and bring a mockup model orexperimental device.
On the day of the presentation, you will present on stage using PowerPoint slides, etc.
Afterwards, there will be a Q&A session in front of your poster with Review Committee members.

9. Miscellaneous(1). If you have any question as to the application procedure, or the selection results (after the Initial
Screening), do not hesitate to contact the Satellite Design Contest Secretariat(2) Any submitted documents will not be returned to the applicants.
(3) The applicants keep the copyright of the materials which they submitted to the Contest.
(4) Photos and part of the submitted documents are to be posted on the website of the Contest. In
addition, the Overview will be published as "Presentation Abstracts" and be given out to the9audience at the final review. The Analysis documents are to be posted on the website of theContest in principle after the final review. (If the applicants do not want to some of their materials
to be made public, they should contact the secretariat in advance.)(5) The submitted documents will not be used, in principle, for any purpose other than the Satellite
Contest related matters. However, as the documents are to be published as “Presentation
Abstracts”, and the “Analysis Document” is posted on the website, they may be provided to thesome of the Contest organizers or press, to advertise the Contest, or for space-related educational
events which are arranged by the Contest organizers. If some organizations or institutions wish touse some of the documents submitted to the Contest, a consultation should be made to thesecretariat. Such attempts need to be certified, in principle, by the document authors or the teacher.
(6) Applicants are responsible for all the Contest-related expenses, including traveling andcommunication costs, those needed to fabricate the models, and others.

10Design Category: Satellite Analysis Preparation Guidelines<Items to be included in the Satellite Analysis document>
The satellite should be those which can actually be launched, instead of being imaginary or fictional.
Describe the details of the proposed satellite, including the following items approximately in this order.

1. Mission requirements (aims of the satellite) and its significance
Clearly describe the mission requirements (the aims of the satellite), as well as its importance andsignificance in technology, science, civil life, education, art, and other aspects.

2. Anticipated results
State the expected results once the satellite is put into orbit, with emphasis on their social, technological,
scientific, and other impacts. In addition, explain the means to achieve these results, including, forexample, the selection of the orbit, the ways of satellite operation and data acquisition, the onboard
mission instruments to be used, the mission life needed, and possible relations to other space activities(e.g., the ISS, other satellites, and ground facilities) if applicable.

3. Originality
Identify the originality/uniqueness of the proposed satellite and the particular design employed, in suchsales points as the mission objectives, the way of its operation and data acquisition/utilization, thetechnologies utilized, the instruments to be onboard, and others. If some of them are inherited fromprevious missions or R&D attempts (by anybody), these should be credited.

4. Detailed design results
State how the mission objectives translate into the requirements for the satellite and its subsystems
and describe how the satellite system and its subsystems have been designed to fulfill therequirements. In particular, the following points must be covered.
4.1. The mass, shape, and the overall satellite system design, as well as the orbital constraints.
4.2. Details of the design of the individual subsystems such as the mechanical structure and assembly,
the thermal control subsystem, the power generation/supply subsystem, the communication
subsystem, the data processing/storage subsystem, the mission instrument(s), and theattitude/orbit control subsystem (if applicable). Demonstrate the validity of the design by
quantitative (numerical in particular) analyses.
4.3. The relations to ground facilities, required for the command up-links and data down-links.
4.4. The actual operational procedures of the satellite, and the data acquisition methods.

5. Concrete achievement methods, prospects and budget for manufacturing
Keeping in mind the stages from the launch to the operation of the designed satellite, explain such11

aspects as the concrete achievement methods to realize the proposed satellite, to what extent thesatellite shall be manufactured, and which components should be purchased. The budget must be
estimated as well. In addition, describe the state-of-the-art basis, availability/feasibility, and near-future
prospects of the key technologies/components employed in the proposed satellite. Identify potential
difficulties/risks in these items and consider conceivable means to get around them.

6. Development, manufacture and launch schedule
Explain the assumed schedule from the development to launch. A use of figures/tables is encouraged.

7. Conclusion, references, and others
State the conclusion, and give reference to all the literature (books, papers, articles, essays, figures,photos, illustrations, calculations, and others) used/quoted in the proposal. A failure in this point would
lead to a potential violation of the copyright credits.
In addition, refer to 7. Documents to be Submitted (for the Initial Screening) on the“Application Guidebook”.

12Idea Category: Mission Analysis Preparation Guidelines<Items to be included in the Mission Idea Analysis document>
1. Aims and purposes of the mission
The proposed concept should be on Earth-orbiting satellites, planetary/interplanetary missions, their
onboard instruments, experiments on the International Space Station, or other similar space activities.
State the aims of the proposal, together with its significance in social, technological, scientific, andother aspects. Also, clarify the reason why the objectives cannot be achieved by space-unrelatedmeans.
2. Concrete design and necessary future tasks
Using figures/tables/photos, if necessary, describe the overall configuration, the mass and shape, andthe orbit of the proposed mission concept. Explain how the mission works, in relation to the mission
instruments, and the methods of operation and data acquisition (including the assumed ground station
configuration). In addition, identify remaining tasks, additional studies, and future technologicaldevelopments that are needed toward the realization of the proposed mission.
3. Originality and impacts of the expected results
State the originality of the proposed mission and describe the expected results. Also, identify the
anticipated social, technological, and scientific impacts, including in particular those on future space
exploration/utilization, and who will mainly benefit from the mission.
In addition, refer to 7. Documents to be Submitted (for the Initial Screening) on the“Application Guidebook”.

13Junior Category: Junior Overview Preparation Guidelines
Although detailed design of the proposed satellite/instrument/experiment is not needed in this Category,the document should clearly describe the following points, using figures, tables, and illustrations if
necessary.
1. The overall configuration of the satellite/instrument/experiment, an approximate mass and size,
the mission instruments to be onboard, the orbit to be employed, the way of operation and dataacquisition, and the necessary ground facilities (for sending commands and receiving the data).
2. The advantages of using space, and reasons why the objectives cannot be achieved by spaceunrelated means.
3. The originality, uniqueness, and novelty of the proposal, and the expected benefits in civil life,
technology (including future space exploration in particular), science, education, businessapplication, entertainments, and other aspects.

In addition, refer to 7. Documents to be Submitted (for the Initial Screening) on the“Application Guidebook”.

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