SPACE
CHALLENGE
Canon Electronics’ Challenge
~The origin story and History~
Origin
The origin story
![](https://en.canon-elec.co.jp/files/themes/cei-en-2022/images/space/dream_01.png)
1999: Sakamaki was appointed President of Canon Electronics Inc. (CE) with a dream of entering the space industry. From his experience participating in many new product launches as a member of Canon Inc.'s R&D division, he knew that CE possessed the technology and expertise in precision machines and optics to enter the satellite manufacturing market.
2002: Sakamaki was inspired by a conversation with a friend, "the coming era will belong to those who rule near-Earth space,” he intuitively felt "this is our chance!".
With a clear path to realizing his dream, Sakamaki had implemented a series of bold reorganizations in management in order to build up the necessary funds and worked tirelessly to recruit talented and experienced human resources. In 2009, Sakamaki officially kicked off CE's challenge to enter the space industry.
History
Major milestones in CE Space
- 2017.06
- The first micro-satellite, CE-SAT-I, was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India and orbited the Earth at an altitude of 500 km. This marked the first successful launch of a self-funded satellite by a private company in Japan's history.
The CE-SAT-I is still being tested by taking images of the ground and so on. - 2017.08
- Canon Electronics, in partnership with IHI Aerospace, Shimizu corporation, and Development Bank of Japan, established SPACE ONE Co., Ltd. (formaly New Generation Small Rocket Development Planning Co. Ltd.).
- 2018.02
- JAXA succeeded in launching the small rocket "SS-520-5" with a total length of less than 10 meters. Canon Electronics provided several components including avionics.
- 2020.10
- The third micro-satellite, CE-SAT-IIB, was launched from New Zealand. The satellite entered a 500km sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite was equipped with three cameras including the ultra- high-sensitivity camera , along with other in-house developed components.
For making the telescope series, CE had started a two-year demonstration experiment and it is still ongoing.
BUSINESS
Three Pillars of Satellite Business
SATELLITE
Ready-made and Semi-custom Satellites
![](https://en.canon-elec.co.jp/files/themes/cei-en-2022/images/space/sat_img.jpg)
CE sells satellites by leveraging its own experience in developing and demonstrating micro-satellites. Satellite buses to equip small and medium size telescopes are also being demonstrated, and we can propose performance that meets your needs by semi-customization.
Micro-satellite CE-SAT-IE
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Micro-satellite CE-SAT-IIB
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Micro-satellite CE-SAT-I
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COMPONENTS
② In-house Components
![](https://en.canon-elec.co.jp/files/themes/cei-en-2022/images/space/compo_img.png)
- Optical payloads
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Telescopes and cameras leveraging the full optical expertise of Canon
Space Telescopes
Super telephoto optical system for taking high-resolution photographs of the ground from orbit (maximum aperture 400mm)
- Originally designed high-performance Cassegrain system with correction lenses
- Equipped with focusing actuator
- Equipped with a space camera using Canon's CMOS sensor
- Actuators
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Satellite actuators based on CE experience with motors and magnetic components
Magnetorquer
Magnetic actuator for controlling satellite attitude via interactions with the Earth magnetic field
Reaction Wheel
Actuator for controlling spacecraft attitude via momentum transfer to a rotating wheel
- Sensors
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Precise sensors for determining satellite attitude
Sun Sensor
Determines the direction of the sun on a satellite by detecting sunlight
Star Tracker
Sensors for highly accurate determination of the attitude of satellites from the direction of stars
- Originally designed optical system using radiation-resistant optical glass
- Robust attitude detection by using original algorithm
- Lost-in-space star identification in 1 second
Geomagnetic Sensor
Measures the geomagnetic field vector by detecting differences in the coil current
Inertial Reference Unit
Measures angle and angular rate; comprised of multiple gyroscopes
DATA
Satellite Imagery
![](https://en.canon-elec.co.jp/files/themes/cei-en-2022/images/space/SATELLITE_03.png)
Canon Electronics’ Micro-satellite CE-SAT series capture high-resolution photographs of the Earth's surface and outer space.
CE-SAT image data is provided through the Remote Sensing Technology Center “RESTEC”.
Remote Sensing Technology Center
https://www.restec.or.jp/en/
Examples of Satellite Data Use
Monitoring parking lots
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With photographs at regular intervals, the use rate of parking lots may be calculated. Tracking changes in use with seasons or time of day allows improvements in logistics and resource allocation. |
Monitoring traffic conditions
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By monitoring traffic density or lengths of traffic jams, it is possible to determine fastest routes in near real time. CE-SAT-I imagery allows distinction between semi-trailer trucks and passenger vehicles, which further aids in optimizing navigation routes. |
Fishing industry
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High resolution satellite imagery can gather data from remote locations, including over water. This allows monitoring of fish hatcheries or vessels moored off-shore. |
Oil industry
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External floating roof tanks are used around the world for storing petroleum products. With high-resolution satellite imagery, it is possible to measure the contents of the tanks, giving market analysts an edge. |
SATELLITE
PHOTO GALLERY
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Ultra High Sensitivity Camera
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Ultra High Sensitivity CameraTokyo (Mozaic image) -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraAround Tokyo station -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraArakawa and TOKYO SKYTREE -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraParis -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraLondon -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraNoth Pole, Alaska -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraDubai Expo (Day) -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraDubai Expo (Night) -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraSuper moon 2021 -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraInternational Space Station -
Ultra High Sensitivity CameraInternational Space Station ( Clipped image )
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EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
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EOS 5D Mark ⅢThe Moon and Mars -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢComet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢThe Moon and Saturn -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢSydney -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢLos Angeles -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢAlaska -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢShopping mall (Los Angeles) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢPhoenix Sky Harbor International Airport -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢTokyo (Shinagawa) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢVenice -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢDubai -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢCairo (Giza pyramid complex) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢCanon Electronics Akagi Plant -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢMt. Fuji (Yoshida Trail) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢMt. Everest -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢTokyo (Shinjuku) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢSiem Reap (Angkor Wat) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢAntarctica -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢAthens (Parthenon) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢNagoya (stitched) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢOsaka -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢGrand Canyon -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢNew York City -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢParis -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢFukuoka -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢUniversal Studios Japan -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢBlack Rock City (Burning Man site) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢBahamas (Paradise Island) -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢMoon -
EOS 5D Mark ⅢSan Jose
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PowerShot S110
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PowerShot S110Tunisia -
PowerShot S110Lake Titicaca -
PowerShot S110Florida -
PowerShot S110Honshu -
PowerShot S110Italy and Greece -
PowerShot S110Turkey -
PowerShot S110California (Thomas Fire) -
PowerShot S110Maldives -
PowerShot S110Egypt -
PowerShot S110Lake Baikal -
PowerShot S110Aurora Australis -
PowerShot S110Grand Canyon -
PowerShot S110Himalayas -
PowerShot S110Dawn -
PowerShot S110Orion -
PowerShot S110Typhoon Talim (stitched) -
PowerShot S110Earth and Moon -
PowerShot S110Honshu (stitched)