【Background】
The satellite development team by Nihon University students has already created three nano satellites, "SEEDS - I" in 2006, "SEEDS - II" in 2008 and "SPROUT" in 2014. (Because of engine trouble, our first satellite “SEEDS - I” cannot go to the space.) Also we make use of it for education of space engineering for the students, enlightenment of the space engineering for the ham radio operators and under the high school students, and technology exchange between overseas researchers.
Also at Nihon University, in recent years, the number of organizations (universities, companies, etc.) that develop nano satellites has increased. As a result, the mission of each satellite has become more upgradeed and diversified, and the amount of communication data has increased accordingly. There, we received information from The Japan Amateur Satellite Association（JAMSAT） that we are developing three kinds of communication devices "π / 4 shift QPSK transmitter" (which enables communication with relatively high speed and low transmission power), "FSK transmitter" (with variable communication speed) and "Linear transponder" (capable of analog data relay and electric field intensity measurement). We proposed to JAMSAT that they will mount these communication devices on the nano satellite developed by Nihon University,they approved it pleasantly and decided to jointly develop "NEXUS" by Nihon University & JAMSAT.
In addition, in recent years, nano satellites are often mounted with compact cameras for the purpose of earth shooting and mission evaluation. But the camera module for nano satellite currently on the market has mass and size are large, and many of them have limited resolution and image processing functions, demand for high versatility camera modules that can be applied to various missions is increasing. From such a background, "NEXUS" is mounted with a proprietary high-versatile camera module "N-CAM", so that it is possible to shoot images with various parameters changed.
"NEXUS" mounts all four mission equipment ("π / 4 shift QPSK transmitter", "FSK transmitter", "linear transponder"and "N-CAM") in 1 U size (about 10 cm 3 cubic) , and demonstrate it on orbit is a mission. We are also planning to sell the demonstrated equipment to other nano satellite development agencies and use it for future mission of nano satellites. (Updated on December 11, 2018)
