ITF-2 (YUI-2), which is the second satellite of the University of Tsukuba, re-entered the atmosphere on January 4, 2019 at 6:08 a.m. We received CW signals from communication system B on January 3. However, we couldn't receive a signal from ITF-2 on January 4. Then, the operation of ITF-2 was ended on January 5, 2019.
The estimated time of re-entry : January 3, 2019 at 6:46 p.m. (JST)
※Reference: Space-Track.org (https://www.space-track.org/auth/login)
※JST: Japan Standard Time
ITF-2 was deployed from KIBO, the Japanese Experiment module of ISS, on January 16, 2019 at 6:10 p.m. (JST). We could receive a CW signal from the deployment after 4 hours, and succeeded to transmit an uplink command to ITF-2 after 12 hours. In the end of the operation, we couldn't communicate with communication system A (main operation communication system), however, we received CW signals from communication system B (mission communication system) on the day before the re-entry. Finally, the operation of ITF-2 lasted for about 2 years and it was the longest operation in 1U size CubeSat deployed from ISS. In addition, more than 2000 reports from about 20 countries were received from the beginning of operation to the end.
We would like to express our appreciation to your help and support.
The details of the operation data will be reported later.
ITF-3, the third satellite following ITF-2, is under development,
Thank you for supporting our project.