“Hirogari”, a microsatellite jointly developed by Muroran Institute of Technology and Osaka Prefecture University was aboard a privately funded American rocket that was launched from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in the state of Virginia in southern USA at 2:36 a.m. Japanese time on February 21. Approximately 10 minutes later, the supply vessel carrying Hirogari successfully launched after separating from the rocket, prompting cheers from the students who were watching the live broadcast.

　After arriving at the International Space Station (ISS), Hirogari – which measures 10 cm by 10 cm and stands 20 cm tall – will be released into space, where it is due to operate for approximately 3 months. Experiments involving the opening of a folded plastic panel (12 cm × 12 cm × 2 mm thick) resembling a solar panel will take place to explore the potential of solar power in space in the future.