'You're free!' Tiny Japanese satellites escape doomed space station years ahead of its fiery death | Space photo of the day for Oct. 21, 2025

“你自由了！“日本小型卫星从注定毁灭的空间站成功逃脱，比其坠毁时间提前数年|2025年10月21日每日太空照片

In its efforts to broaden global access to space, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently launched three cubesats from the Kibo module of the International Space Station (ISS). YOTSUBA-KULOVER, e-kagaku-1 and BOTAN, according to JAXA's press release.

为了拓宽全球进入太空的渠道，日本宇宙航空研究开发机构（JAXA）近期从国际空间站（ISS）的“希望”号实验舱发射了三颗立方星。据其新闻稿，这三颗卫星分别为YOTSUBA-KULOVER、e-kagaku-1与BOTAN。

Cubesats, compact spacecraft usually no bigger than a shoebox, have helped transform the landscape of space research in the past 20 years. Originally invented in 1999 by professors from Stanford University and California Polytechnic State University, the cubesat format was designed to lower the barriers to space for universities, small organizations and companies.

立方体卫星是一种紧凑型航天器，通常只有鞋盒大小。过去20年间，它极大地改变了太空研究的格局。最初，该标准于1999年由斯坦福大学和加州理工大学的教授共同创立，旨在为大学、小型组织及公司降低进入太空的门槛。

By following a shared design standard and using off-the-shelf components, teams can build and launch fully functional satellites in months rather than years, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional spacecraft.

通过遵循通用设计标准并使用商用现货组件，团队仅需数月而非熟练即可完成完备卫星的建造与发射，且成本仅为传统航天器的零头。

This image was taken at the ISS's Kibo module in low-Earth orbit around 248 miles (400 kilometers) above our planet.

本图摄于国际空间站的“希望”号实验舱，该舱位于地球上方约248英里（400公里）的近地轨道上。

While cubesats are used in a variety of space research, the three recently deployed by JAXA are focused specifically on auroral activity and the understanding of space weather. The YOTSUBA-KULOVER cubesat was developed by the Kyushu Institute of Technology, while the e-kagaku-1 was built by students in the e-kagaku Association and BOTAN was constructed by the Chiba Institute of Technology.

尽管立方星广泛应用于各类空间研究，但日本宇宙航空研究开发机构近期部署的三颗卫星则专门致力于极光活动观测及空间天气研究。YOTSUBA-KULOVER、e-kagaku-1与e-kagaku这三颗立方星分别由BOTAN由九州工业大学、e-kagaku协会的学生以及千叶工业大学研制。

All three will look at specific factors around space weather and auroras, including volcanic pumice and solar activity.

这三颗卫星都将观测与太空天气及极光相关的特定因素，包括火山浮石太阳活动。

You can learn more about cubesats and the International Space Station.

了解更多：关于立方星与国际空间站的相关内容。