| PETREL | |
| Names List: | Platform for Extra and Terrestrial Remote Examination with LCTF |
| Operator: | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
| Manufacturer: | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
| Launch Date: | 2022 (planned) |
| Launch Rocket: | Epsilon |
| Launch Site: | Uchinoura Space Center |
| Launch Contractor: | JAXA |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit (planned) |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth orbit |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Instruments: | Multispectral cameras |
| Programme: | Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program |
PETREL (Platform for Extra and Terrestrial Remote Examination with LCTF) is a technology demonstration satellite being developed by Tokyo Institute of Technology. The microsatellite is equipped with a multispectral camera, which will be used to carry out two distinct missions. One mission is to survey the sky in ultraviolet wavelengths for the field of time-domain astronomy, and the other is to conduct spectroscopic observations of the Earth.[1] PETREL was planned to be launched as part of the Japanese space agency JAXA's 2022 Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3 mission, but wasn't launched.
PETREL's role differs depending on its position in orbit: while inside Earth's shadow it will conduct astronomical observations, and while outside it will function as an Earth observation satellite.[1] [2]
PETREL will conduct wide field observations in ultraviolet, which will work in tandem with ground-based observatories to study time-domain multi-messenger astronomy. PETREL is a pathfinder for the ULTRASAT mission.[3]
As an Earth observation satellite, PETREL will perform multispectral observation of both the land and seas to acquire data for use in agriculture and aquaculture.[4] PETREL's ocean observation will measure the level of plankton and nutrients in the waters, which the aquaculture industry will utilize to help ensure a stable amount of catches.[5]