The project was initiated by the SOHLA (Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association) organisation in 2003.
SOHLA-2 is a 50 kg microsatellite and will be the first demonstrator of Panel ExTension SATellite (PETSAT) which was first proposed by the Nakasuka Laboratory of University of Tokyo.
PETSAT consists of a combination of standardised subsystem panels that are hinged together and deploy/unfold once the spacecraft is in orbit.
The PETSAT concept is configured such that mission designers can launch their own PETSAT for a significantly lower cost and shorter development time by providing the ability to select and assemble off-the-shelf panel subsystems as required.
The main payload on SOHLA-2 is lightning monitoring experiment and the mission will also demonstrate end-of-life de-orbiting through the use of a low-cost on-board propulsion system.