ASTRO-H
Encyclopedia
Astro-H is a planned X-ray astronomy
satellite under development by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA). It is expected to be launched in 2014 into the 550 km height orbit around earth. Launch vehicle will be the H-IIA
.
With a planned weight of 2.4 t, Astro-H will be the heaviest Japanese astronomy mission so far. When its telescope is extended in orbit, the satellite will be 14 meters length.
The observatory is designed to extend the research conducted by Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics
(ASCA) by investigating the hard X-ray band above 10 keV. NASA
is participating with this project by committing the High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS). SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
(SRON) will build the filter-wheel and calibration source for the spectrometer. This calibration source corrects for instabilities in the spectrometer.
X-ray astronomy
X-ray astronomy is an observational branch of astronomy which deals with the study of X-ray observation and detection from astronomical objects. X-radiation is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, so instruments to detect X-rays must be taken to high altitude by balloons, sounding rockets, and...
satellite under development by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
(JAXA). It is expected to be launched in 2014 into the 550 km height orbit around earth. Launch vehicle will be the H-IIA
H-IIA
H-IIA is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency . The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch an interplanetary...
.
With a planned weight of 2.4 t, Astro-H will be the heaviest Japanese astronomy mission so far. When its telescope is extended in orbit, the satellite will be 14 meters length.
The observatory is designed to extend the research conducted by Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics
Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics
ASCA is the fourth cosmic X-ray astronomy mission by Japan's , and the second for which the United States is providing part of the scientific payload. The satellite was successfully launched on February 20, 1993. The first eight months of the ASCA mission were devoted to performance verification...
(ASCA) by investigating the hard X-ray band above 10 keV. NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
is participating with this project by committing the High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS). SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Netherlands Institute for Space Research
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research is the Dutch expertise institute for space research. The Institute develops and uses innovative technology for groundbreaking research in space, focusing on astrophysical research, Earth science and planetary research...
(SRON) will build the filter-wheel and calibration source for the spectrometer. This calibration source corrects for instabilities in the spectrometer.
Instruments
- Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT)
- Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT-S, SXT-I)
- Hard X-ray Imager (HXI)
- Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS)
- Soft X-ray Imager (SXI)
- Soft Gamma-ray Detector (SGD)