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The question Why isn't there a rocket to launch a single cubesat? has several good answers that explain why there isn't and/or will not likely be one, based mostly on commercial viability, consistent with the gist of the question's text.

Yet one answer cites JAXA's launch of the single 3U cubeast TRICOM-1 into orbit using the “world's smallest orbital rocket” the SS-520-5.

If there are so many good answers explaining why there won't be rockets to launch individual cubesats, one might ask:

  1. Then why is there one and why did JAXA develop it?
  2. What are the long term plans for this launch solution (that shouldn't exist)?

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uhoh
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    The answer to that question was "there's no business case" The answer to this question is "Governments don't need a business case" –  Aug 04 '19 at 07:49
  • @JCRM I agree with your premise, but that's only a partial answer to #1 here. Any idea what JAXA might be up to in this case? – uhoh Aug 04 '19 at 10:20
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    Governments think about things other than profit, especially strategic considerations. They might be paying to maintain the capability to do anti-satellite strikes. – Roko Mijic Aug 04 '19 at 19:14
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    Or could just be government largesse, jobs program, Japanese pork (like US space shuttle was a pork project) – Roko Mijic Aug 04 '19 at 19:15
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    @RokoMijic I object to your blanket characterization of the shuttle program as a 'pork project'. – Organic Marble Aug 04 '19 at 20:05
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    perhaps, but that would take us off topic here. Point is that governments have other motivations than what's efficient, useful etc. – Roko Mijic Aug 04 '19 at 21:25

1 Answers1

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The SS-520-5 launcher is not intended to be an operational vehicle.

  • ... the SS-520-5 was also an experiment to construct a minimum system that can be established with a micro-small rocket and whether future AFSS will be established.
  • ...was conducted as a demonstration of compact and light substrate technology, consumer manufacturing technology, quality assurance technology using COTS technology. We demonstrated technology of Japanese COTS parts companies that can withstand severe launch environmental conditions.
  • Through this development we were able to confirm that the COTS parts made in Japan function with satellites and rockets.This affordable technology can be used for the development technology of low cost rockets.

(AFSS = Autonomous Flight Safety System, COTS = Commercial Off The Shelf)

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Organic Marble
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