Tokyo, Aug 20 (UNI) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to expand its service of releasing other countries’ mini-satellites into orbit from the Kibo Experimental Module of the International Space Station. It seems that this will give tough competition to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that has launched several foreign satellites into orbit over the years. A Yomiuri Shimbun report published in "The Japan News" today says that JAXA aims to increase orders for the service from countries that have recently begun space development projects. Demand for such services is expected to grow worldwide. JAXA aims to raise Japan’s presence in the field while utilising the service as a new revenue source. Japan’s Kibo is the only ISS module that can release mini-satellites, which weigh up to about 50 kilograms, into space. Mini-satellites can be developed by countries with low space development budgets because production costs are low. The range of use for mini-satellites has been expanding, for example for improving the telecommunications environment and reducing the impact of weather disasters. According to SpaceWorks, a US analysis firm, there were less than 50 mini-satellite launches in 2012 but 101 in 2016. The company expects 300 to be launched in 2022. However, launching only mini-satellites can be costly. In many cases, mini-satellites have been carried in the cargo bays of rockets for launching larger satellites. The launch dates for mini-satellites are largely affected by the schedules for larger satellites. Mini-satellites also need to be designed to endure vibrations and shocks. Mini-satellites that are launched from the Kibo module are transported by supply spacecraft that regularly travel to the ISS. The mini-satellites are packaged in shock-absorbing materials to prevent damage. According to JAXA, 14 of 20 satellites released from the Kibo module through January this year were done so free of charge. According to the report published in "The Japan News", JAXA will charge for the service in principle, with fees ranging between ¥3 million to ¥104 million per release, in accordance with the size and weight of the mini-satellites. JAXA released five satellites, including Ghana’s first last month, and received ¥3 million for each one. But JAXA will maintain a framework for releasing satellites free of charge under bilateral accords and other schemes to raise Japan’s presence in space development fields. The free framework will be applied for a Turkish satellite scheduled to be released this fiscal year. UNI XC SNU 1238