On Nov. 6, the QSAT-EOS satellite, an Earth-observing microsatellite developed by a Kyushu University-led consortium, was launched into space on a Russian rocket and successfully entered its intended orbit. Nicknamed Tsukushi, the 50kg, 50cm3 satellite will take photos of Earth from a height of about 500km. Its cameras and sensors will monitor things such natural disasters, atmospheric moisture that causes torrential rains, agricultural pest damage and space debris. The name Tsukushi is derived from Kyushu’s ancient name, Tsukushi-no-shima. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 11/7
