Project News

VERTECS was featured in the July 2026 issue (No. 544) of ISAS News, published by the JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), in an article titled “Launch of the VERTECS Nanosatellite: The Cosmic Optical Background Observation Mission Begins!” The article describes the launch of VERTECS from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard the sixth […]

On August 1, 2026, a poster and model of the VERTECS nanosatellite were displayed at Open Campus 2026, held at the Tobata Campus of Kyushu Institute of Technology. The exhibit used a poster and satellite model to introduce the VERTECS mission, the satellite system, and initial operations following launch. It provided visiting high school students

VERTECS was featured on the RKB Radio program “Toi toi toi,” broadcast on July 9, 2026. The program introduced VERTECS, launched aboard the sixth H3 Launch Vehicle on June 12, including its student-centered development team, its scientific objective of observing the cosmic background light, environmental testing at the Center for Nanosatellite Testing, and operations using

On June 26, 2026, Spanish space hardware manufacturer DHV Technology published a news article about its first direct collaboration with Kyushu Institute of Technology on the VERTECS mission. DHV Technology supplied the deployable solar array paddle for VERTECS. After its launch from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard the sixth H3 Launch Vehicle on June 12,

The sixth H3 Launch Vehicle (Test Flight No. 30 configuration) lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 9:53:59 a.m. Japan Standard Time on June 12, 2026. VERTECS was successfully deployed into its designated orbit and subsequently established communication with its operations ground station. The team is currently checking the satellite’s functions in sequence. Following

VERTECS was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard the sixth H3 Launch Vehicle (Test Flight No. 30 configuration) at 9:53:59 a.m. Japan Standard Time on June 12, 2026. ㊗️超小型衛星「VERTECS」をのせたH3ロケット6号機が打ち上げに成功！ 戸畑キャンパス九工大未来テラスでパブリックビューイングを開催しました 「VERTECS」も無事に軌道にのり通信に成功しました！その感動の瞬間をぜひご覧ください✨ https://t.co/jj0P9yj68i pic.twitter.com/oWfgpUVA4R — Kyushu Institute of Technology (@kyutech) June 12, 2026

VERTECS was introduced during a press briefing on the small rideshare satellites aboard the sixth H3 Launch Vehicle (Test Flight No. 30 configuration), released on JAXA’s official YouTube channel. As one of the rideshare satellites aboard the vehicle, the briefing presented the VERTECS mission, its development background, and preparations for launch. Led by Kyushu Institute

On May 14, 2026, Kyushu Institute of Technology held an unveiling event at its Tobata Campus to mark the completion of the VERTECS nanosatellite. Following opening remarks by Professor Kentaro Kitamura, Director of Kyushu Institute of Technology’s Center for Innovative Space Utilization Demonstration, Assistant Professor Kei Sano of the Department of Space Systems Engineering introduced

At the Visible and Infrared Instrumentation Technology Workshop 2025, held at Kyoto Sangyo University on November 10–11, 2025, Shunsuke Nakagawa, a first-year doctoral student in the Space Systems Engineering Course at Kyushu Institute of Technology, received the Young Presenter Award (Silver Award). The award-winning presentation was titled “VERTECS, a 6U Satellite for Cosmic Optical Background

Kick Space Technologies Inc. has been established as a space startup originating from Kyushu Institute of Technology. Building on the university’s long-standing technologies and expertise in nanosatellite development, Kick Space Technologies provides integrated support spanning mission studies, design, manufacturing, testing, and operations. In addition to developing CubeSats and other nanosatellites, the company develops and sells