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Conference 7.286::space

Title:	Space Exploration
Notice:	Shuttle launch schedules, see Note 6
Moderator:	PRAGMA::GRIFFIN

Created:	Mon Feb 17 1986
Last Modified:	Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	974
Total number of notes:	18843

390.0. "Japan's Space Program" by DICKNS::KLAES (I would advise youse ta keep dialin'.) Wed Jan 20 1988 15:24

From: kempf@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM (Jim Kempf)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Japan's Space Plans - THE FIFTH GENERATION
Date: 19 Jan 88 18:07:58 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories
  
    Those of you who recall Ed Feigenbaum's book, THE FIFTH
GENERATION, which was instrumental in increasing AI interest (and
funding) in this country should note that the Japanese are doing it
again.  This time, they have targeted space. 
 
    The following is a summary of an article in THE JAPAN JOURNAL, an
English language translation of THE TOKYO JOURNAL.  The article is a
good overview of the Japanese space program (including some of the
difficulties it faces in awaking public interest), but lacking in
technical details. 
 
    In 1984, MITI created a special panel on space development
(similar to the one which advocated the Fifth Generation).  Most
Japanese industries were fairly skeptical at first, but successes such
as the Halley's Comet probes in 1985, the first X-ray satellite in
Feb. 1987, the launching of the Marine Observation Satellite the same
month, and the launching of the 84% Japanese H-1 rocket in August 1987
have turned that around. 
 
    The unreliability of the American Space Shuttle and the need for
secrecy, both commercial and national defense, were cited as reasons
for Japan going it alone, by Maso Nakumura of Yomiuri Shimbun (looks
like a newspaper).  Turned around, the article points out that this
argument could be used against the Japanese (and some Japanese believe
it has, witness the fact that Saudi Arabian and German astronauts have
already flown on the space shuttle, while a Japanese has yet to fly). 
 
    The origin of the Japanese space program is in 1955, when the
University of Tokyo built a series of "pencil" sounding rockets.  In
1960, the National Space Activities Council (NSAC) was set up within
the Prime Minister's Office.  The NSAC was replaced by the Space
Activities Commission in 1968, to centralize space development policy
and to advise the prime minister. 
 
    The two central bodies controlling the Japanese space program are
the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) and the Institute of
Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the later in the Ministry of
Education. NASDA controls about 90% of the alloted space development
budget, which is $730 million, about the same amount Toyota spent to
develop the original Corolla.  Most of NASDA's money goes toward
practical equipment, like broadcast satellites.  ISAS's share is used
for scientific applications, such as launching and maintaining weather
satellites. Since there is little money, failures are not tolerated. 
When Toshiba's BS-2 stopped working because the transponder broke, the
contract for the next satellite was given to NEC (contrast this to how
Morton Thiokol is still being allowed to continue manufacturing the
SRB's).  The entire budget is about 1/10 the size of NASA and not
concerned with military purposes...yet.  The Diet restricted launching
to "peaceful" objects in 1969, but the Self Defense Agency is trying
to interpret this as allowing monitoring, as long as they are not used
for destructive purposes.  The Sakura 2A communications satellite,
launched in Feb. 1983, is being used for broadcasting military
communications to outlying islands. 
 
    Recently, there has been a change in policy indicating a speeded
up program.  The Space Development Commission (the MITI Commission),
chaired by Yataro Mitsubayashi (also Director-General of STA)
announced in May 1987 that Japan would be building its own fleet of
space shuttles.  Japanese scientists are now working on soft-landing
mechanisms for exploring the far side of the Moon, and designers are
beginning to plan colonies on the Moon and elsewhere.  The catalyst
for this change was Reagan's announcement of $8 billion (now up to $32
billion) for the Space Station. 
 
    Tsueneo Kakimi, who now is in Nissan's rocketry program, was
originally with the "pencil" program.  He thinks that materials
processing is important to begin soon, on the Japanese Spacelab flight. 
 
    Large picture of JEM-the Japan Experimental Module.  Consists of 3
parts:  Pressurized module, logistics module, and an exposed facility. 
The first is connected to the orbiting space lab (presumably the Space
Station) via an air lock and will be used as a laboratory.  The second
sits atop the first and forms a storage area for consumables.  The
third is an arm and platform for manipulating material experiments
(Note:  Yasahiro Nakasone was recently in Canada, and the media had a
picture of him visiting the plant where the Canada arm was built,
along with Brian Mulrony (sp?)).  The JEM is being built by STA in
cooperation with NASDA.  It is 120 meters long and 90 meters wide. 
Each section will be manufactured by a different company:  The tank by
Mitsubishi, the platform by Nissan, the arm by Toshiba (under license
from Canada?), the control room by NEC.  The Japanese are most excited
about electrophoresis, and have signed an agreement with McDonnell
Douglas for use of their technology. 
 
    There is a discussion of the need for a Pacific Basin Spaceport
(see companion posting on a plan by the Hawaiian Development
Commission to put one on the Big Island).  Such a port would serve as
a focal point for space construction and activity in the Pacific
Basin, including perhaps a Pacific Space University.  The immediate
need, however, is to avoid the expensive dogleg needed to get into
equatorial orbit from higher latitudes. 
 
    Silloutte of NASDA Satellite Launch Vehicles, both existing and
proposed. Here are the statistics: 
 
    N-I.  Operated from 1975-1980, flew 7 flights, had a payload
capacity of 130 kg. to GEO.  About 32 meters tall. 
 
    N-II.  Operated from 1981-1986, flew 8 flights, had a payload
capacity of 350 kg to GEO.  About 35 meters tall. 
 
    H-I.  Projected to operate from 1987-1991, for 8 flights, has a
payload capacity of 550 kg to GEO.  About 40 meters tall. 
 
    H-II.  Planned to operate from 1992-?.  Payload capacity of 2000
kg. About 47 meters tall.  This would lift the Japanese space shuttle.
 
    Biographies of the three Japanese Payload Specialists for the
Space Shuttle.  They are Dr. Chiaki Mukai (cardiologist), Dr. Mamoru
Mohri (materials science), and Dr. Takao Doi (materials science). 
Interviews also.  Most notable was their delight at having 3-bedroom
houses in the U.S., and how nice it was to be able to barbacue in
their back yards. 
 
    Problems.  The Japanese program is very cost-ineffective because
of the emphasis on home-grown technology.  American pressure (and
Japanese reluctance, due the the Lockheed Scandal of the mid-1970s)
has led to no real home-grown Japanese aerospace industry.  The liquid
fueled LE-5 engine in the second stage of the H-I is produced under
American license and will be a model for the LE-7, the power train in
the H-II.  The first all-Japanese guidence system (NICE) is only 6
months old, and Japan has no solid rocket capability at all.  Also,
Japan is going for 2-stage launchers, as opposed  to the three-stage
launchers which ESA and NASA use, because they think 2 stages will be
more efficient.  There is also the danger of shortcuts.  None of the
payload specialists have a pilot's license, nor any space time at all.
Questionable whether they could take over the shuttle controls in
case of an accident (a pilot's license is very expensive in Japan). 
Also, the Halley's Comet flyby (Planet A) was put into orbit using
direct injection rather than an elliptical slingshot, because it would
reduce costs.  ISAS Deep Space Center's Dr. Tomonao Hayashi says that
they did it that way because they didn't have a backup rocket.  Also,
they wanted maximum news coverage. 
 
    Problems with public support.  The oft-cited problem of having to
suspend launches due to fishermen is discussed.  In general, there is
little or no grass roots support, like NSS and space camps.  More
seriously, the promise of outer space does not particuarly capture the
Japanese imagination.  Until the Meji Period (1868-1912), the Japanese
were so inward looking that they had no comprehensive system of
astronomy, a failing which hurts to this day, since there is no
well-known international astronomer of Japanese origin, and a very
weak astronomical program in general. 
 
    However, space is being seen as a way of developing national
pride.  The English block letters NIPPON are stenciled on the side of
the H-I.  Nippon was the offical name for Japan during the period of
intense nationalism before and during WWII (until recently, "Nihon"
was preferred).  This indicates a return to nationalism via the
language, since an alternative would be to label the rocket with the
appropriate kanji or katakana characters.  So, besides obvious
mercentile interests, many Japanese see space as a way to reassert
their national pride, when they are under attack in other areas. 
 
    Hope this can be of interest.  The article is in the January issue of
THE JAPAN JOURNAL, and was written by Glen Davis.
 
		Jim Kempf	kempf@hplabs.hp.com
  
    Usual Disclaimer

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
390.1	RE 390.0	DICKNS::KLAES	I would advise youse ta keep dialin'.	`Thu Jan 21 1988 12:34`	37
	From: willner@cfa.harvard.EDU (Steve Willner) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: Japanese Astronomy Date: 20 Jan 88 18:44:37 GMT Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. for Astrophysics In an otherwise excellent article <1437@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM> on the Japanese space program, kempf@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM (Jim Kempf) says: > ... there is no well known international astronomer of > Japanese origin and a very weak astronomical program in general. It is not clear whether this statement is from Mr. Kempf or from the article he is quoting, but I have to dispute at least the second part. While Japanese astronomy is arguably weaker than it ought to be considering the strength of the Japanese economy, describing it as "very weak" in absolute term is too severe. The Japanese astronomy community is small but excellent in certain areas. While Japan has no large optical telescopes, they do operate the world's largest millimeter-wave telescope (45 meters) and a world-class millimeter interferometer. These instruments, used by both Japanese and foreigners, have made major contributions to understanding of molecular clouds and star formation. Japan (ISAS) has also launched two X-ray satellites, one of which (GINGA, I think) made the first X-ray detection of the Large Magellanic Cloud Galaxy supernova, 1987A. Also notable were the Halley's Comet flybys. While no Japanese astronomer is publicly recognized (at least in this country), many are well known to other astronomers and are highly respected. The term "Hayashi track", for example, is known (or ought to be) to all astronomers. Steve Willner Phone 617-495-7123 Bitnet: willner@cfa2 60 Garden St. FTS: 830-7123 UUCP: willner@cfa Cambridge, MA 02138 USA ARPA: willner@cfa.harvard.edu
390.2	Japanese rocketry	MONSTR::HUGHES		`Mon Jan 25 1988 12:05`	28
	re .0 The 'problems' paragraph has a number of problems of its own. The LE-5 LOX/LH2 engine is a Japanese design, not a US design built under license. In fact, McDonnell Douglas tried to buy the rights to build and use the LE-5 in an enhanced Delta II! The Japanese refused on the basis that there would be no guarantee that the vehicle would not be used for military purposes (SDI). They DO have solid rocket capability. Their first satellite was launched by a Lambda 4S, an all solid propellant vehicle with similar capabilities to the US Scout. They currently fly Mu 3S-2, the latest in a long line of solid propellant launch vehicles. They also build the strapon motors for the N series and H-1 launch vehicles (probably under license to Thiokol). Planet A was launched on a Mu 3S, which probably doesn't lend itself well to other than direct injection trajectories for planetary missions. Unfortunately, these kind of mistakes make me wonder about the accuracy of the rest of the article. I always thought one of their major problems was competition between ISAS and NASDA. This is the case in launch vehicle development. gary
390.3	RE 390.0	DICKNS::KLAES	The Dreams are still the same.	`Fri Jan 29 1988 16:40`	43
	From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: Japan's Space "Fifth Generation" Date: 26 Jan 88 06:07:12 GMT Organization: U of Toronto Zoology > H-II. Planned to operate from 1992-?. Payload capacity of 2000 kg. > About 47 meters tall. This would lift the Japanese space shuttle. Note that 2000 kg is not much of a shuttle. Unless Japan has changed its plans radically without telling outfits like Aviation Week, this is the proposed -- not yet approved -- small unmanned spaceplane that might fly late in the century. The US need not quake in its boots yet. > ... no real home-grown Japanese aerospace industry. The > liquid fueled LE-5 engine in the second stage of the H-I is produced > under American license and will be a model for the LE-7, the power > train in the H-II. This sounds to me like somebody has gotten a bit confused; it's the first stage of the H-1 that is made under US license, since it is basically a Delta. The second stage is pretty much all-Japanese. McDonnell-Douglas, which makes Delta, tried to get US rights to the second stage; the Japanese refused to sell. > ... Also, Japan is going for 2 stage launchers, as opposed to the > three stage launchers which ESA and NASA use... Now I know somebody is confused. Ariane is indeed 3 stages, but the US boosters cover the range from 2 to 4 stages. > ... Also, the Halley's Comet flyby (Planet A) was put into orbit > using direct injection rather than an elliptical slingshot, because > it would reduce costs... Again something has been lost somewhere; as I understand it, Planet A used direct injection simply to get maximum payload out of a booster that was rather small for a planetary mission. Those who do not understand Unix are \| Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology condemned to reinvent it, poorly. \| {allegra,ihnp4,decvax,utai}!utzoo!henry
390.4	RE 390.3	DICKNS::KLAES	The Dreams are still the same.	`Sat Jan 30 1988 19:54`	23
	From: beckenba@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu (Joe Beckenbach) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: Japan's Space "Fifth Generation" Date: 27 Jan 88 21:09:30 GMT Organization: California Institute of Technology In his article Henry Spencer (henry@utzoo.uucp) writes: >Note that 2000 kg is not much of a shuttle. Unless Japan has changed its >plans radically without telling outfits like Aviation Week, this is the >proposed -- not yet approved -- small unmanned spaceplane that might >fly late in the century. The US need not quake in its boots yet. Also note that once a shuttle with cargo capacity of 2 metric tons is flying with frequency, all it takes to provide a major space effort is a large booster. The US ought to be seriously worried soon. -Joe Beckenbach (CS BS '88) Why the powers-that-be dumped a working system of boosters to spend years on developing an exclusive technology is beyond me. One should keep the bicycle while waiting for the Volkswagen.
390.5	Not 2000 its 20000	BISTRO::ANDRADE	The sentinel (.)(.)	`Wed Feb 03 1988 15:12`	5
	Re .3 and Re .4 I just want to make something clear, a 2000 Kg capacity to GEO Means something like 20,000 Kg to LEO. The lower they go the more payload they can put there.
390.6	Japan's Space Camp	DICKNS::KLAES	It's Bicycle Repair Man!	`Tue Apr 05 1988 15:12`	30
	From: govett@avsd.UUCP (David Govett) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Nippon in Space Date: 4 Apr 88 20:27:13 GMT Organization: Ampex Advanced Technology Division, Redwood City, CA From the March/April 1988 issue of NIPPON STEEL NEWS: "Nippon Steel Corporation...has announced the Space World project, a large educational and leisure theme park to be built within its Yawata Works in Kitakyushu City. "SW's progams will provide Japanese and Asian [!] students with the opportunity to experience the ambience of space. It is hoped that they will therefore be encouraged in the peaceful exploration of space. "Space Camp will be the central feature of SW, which will also include a Space Museum and a Space Fantasy site. The first phase of the project is scheduled to open in spring 1990....SW is expected to attract at least one million visitors a year. "SC will provide a program for youths that will be based on the astronaut training programs developed by NASA. It will include simulated space flights.... "The license for the construction and operation of SC in Japan was granted ...to NS by the US Space Camp Foundation of Huntsville, Alabama." Oh my God - A space camp race!
390.7	Japanese space shuttle status	ACUTE::MCKINLEY		`Tue Nov 01 1988 14:43`	21
	Bubble Is Burst on Japanese Shuttle [from Insight magazine, Nov. 7, 1988] The successful flight of the Discovery has put the United States' shuttle program back on track, but Japan's attempt to build a reusable shuttle is not faring so well. In September, a scale model of the Japanese HOPE shuttle plunged into the sea and was lost during a crucial flight test. Scientists at Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science attached the 400-pound, unmanned vehicle to a large balloon at the Kagoshima launch center and planned to have the balloon carry it to an altitude of about 12 miles. There, a booster rocket would separate, leaving the model to glide back to Earth. However, the balloon broke on the way up, and the craft plunged into the sea before any kind of rescue mission could be mounted. Japanese space scientists have not said how much of a setback this is for the program. They had hoped to fly a full-scale shuttle as early as 1996.
390.8	Japan's first Hughes 393 comsat	MTWAIN::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Thu Mar 30 1989 14:40`	24
	VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH: [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent] ===================== [Nashua, NH, USA ] Japanese Satellite The first Hughes 393 communications satellite is owned by the Japan Communications Satellite Co. (JCSAT) and is scheduled to be launched Feb 28 on an Ariane 44LP rocket to provide the first privately owned satellite communications in Japan. [Was the satellite launched? --mjt] The spin stabilized JCSAT 1 is 12 ft in diameter, 32.0 ft long with the antenna and telescoping solar cells deployed. It will weigh 3,000 lbs in orbit. Solar arrays will provide 2,350 w. at the beginning of the satellite's 10 year life, supplying 32 Ku band transponders with 27MHz of bandwidth. The satellite will be in geosynchronous orbit at 150 deg, E. longitude and is to start service in May. A second JCSAT is planned for launch this summer by a Martin Marietta Titan 3 rocket. {AW&ST - February 20, 1989} <><><><><><><> VNS Edition : 1786 Thursday 30-Mar-1989 <><><><><><><>
390.9	time warp?	STAR::HUGHES		`Thu Mar 30 1989 15:06`	3
	The launch was successful. gary
390.10	Japan's HOPE for a spaceplane	DOCO2::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Thu Apr 13 1989 14:55`	36
	VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH: [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent] ===================== [Nashua, NH, USA ] Japanese HOPE Orbiter Planned for 1996 Launch The Japanese are planning to use their unmanned HOPE orbiter as a research and development springboard towards the construction of a horizontal takeoff and landing, single-stage-to-orbit aerospace plane. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been leading the research and development effort for the winged orbiter, which is scheduled to be launched atop Japan's H-2 booster in late 1996. Once operational, the vehicle will be capable of reaching the multinational FREEDOM space station after launch from the Tanegashima Space Center. In its current configuration, the HOPE is expected to be 11.5m (37.7ft) in length, 2.3m (7.5ft) in width, 2.5m (8.2ft) in height, weigh about 8.8 tons at launch, and have a payload capacity of about 1.2 tons. The wing span is expected to have a 6.24m (20.5ft) span and a leading edge sweep of 48 deg. The fuselage has been sized to accommodate a cargo bay large enough to handle three space station standard rack containers in a nonpressurized environment. {AW&ST - April 3, 1989} Spain Approves 3 Satellites The government approved its first communications satellite program at a cost of $370M, as Spain prepares for its summer Olympics and World's Fair in 1992. The first satellite is to be launched in December 1991 and the second in April 1992. {Boston Globe - April 8, 1989} <><><><><><><> VNS Edition : 1796 Thursday 13-Apr-1989 <><><><><><><>
390.11	Moon Satellite	NACAD::JBIRO		`Wed Jan 24 1990 11:36`	2
	NPR said that the Japan satellite to the moon was launch today
390.12	Why so long?	MEMIT::SCOLARO	A 200th Decade Kinda Guy	`Wed Jan 24 1990 12:39`	7
	Yes and NPR also said that it would take until MARCH to get to the moon? Any idea on why it should take so long, that's only a couple of hundred miles an hour, as the meteor shoots. Tony
390.13	The Long Way Around	VOSTOK::LEPAGE	Cosmos---is my job	`Wed Jan 24 1990 13:29`	12
	Re:.12 I do not know the exact trajectory that Muses is taking but it is possible that it is not going directly to the Moon like most lunar probes. The purpose of this mission is basicly an engineering study to control distant spacecraft and to better determine orbits. What could be happening here is that Muses will make several very elongated orbits of the Earth before finally encountering the Moon. This way the Japanese can track the orbit of the spacecraft for a few orbits and "play around with it" a bit before the relatively demanding lunar encounter. Drew
390.14	Details on the MUSES-A mission	WRKSYS::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Wed Jan 24 1990 13:32`	31
	Japan's first lunar probe lifted off today at 8:46 p.m. (6:46 a.m. EST) on an M3S-2 rocket from its Uchinoura space center. If successful, the Muses-A satellite will be the first spacecraft to visit the Moon since the unmanned Soviet LUNA 24 vehicle landed on its surface in 1976 and returned soil samples to Earth. Only the United States and the Soviet Union have sent spacecraft to the Moon. Originally set for Tuesday, the liftoff had been postponed with only 18 seconds to go after an electrical switching problem cut off power to a hydraulic pump used to aim the nozzle of an auxiliary booster rocket. Mission chief Hiroki Matsuo said Tuesday's delay was the first time in five launches of the solid-fuel M3S-2 that the countdown had been stopped in the final 60 seconds. The three-stage red-and-silver M3S-2 rocket, which cannot lift much more than its 400-pound payload, is to carry Muses-A into an elliptical orbit that will bring it to within about 10,000 miles of the Moon in eight weeks. The Nissan Motor Co., Japan's second-largest automobile maker, built the three-stage, 62-ton M3S-2 engine used in the lunar mission. Just before crossing the Moon's path, a smaller satellite will break off the Muses-A and go into lunar orbit and send data to the larger satellite on temperatures and electrical fields. "This time we are going to the Moon; but our objective is not the Moon itself," Matsuo said. "Our institute is getting into interplanetary missions in the 1990s and for that we need to refine our technology."
390.15		LHOTSE::DAHL	Tom Dahl, CDMS	`Wed Jan 24 1990 16:59`	10
	RE: <<< Note 390.12 by MEMIT::SCOLARO "A 200th Decade Kinda Guy" >>> > Any idea on why it should take so long... The SW&ST article I read said that the spacecraft was actually going to be in a very elliptical Earth orbit. This orbit was to be sufficiently elongated as to intersect the path of the moon. I don't think the article explicitly stated, but I presume, this is to reduce the thrust required to reach the moon. A direct (Earth-escape) trajectory requires more power. -- Tom
390.16	two Satellites	PARITY::BIRO		`Thu Jan 25 1990 12:02`	18
	According to the NY Times (15-JAN) If everything goes according to plan the two satellites aboard the solid fuel rock will approach the Moon on the 18 to March and use the Moon's gravity field to catapult the larger of the two satellites ino an elliptical orbit that will haed it back towards Earth and then to the Moon again. Just before crossing the Moon's path, the smaller satllite, only 14 inches in diameter will break off an begin circling the Moon to test sytems that Japan hopes to use to sen other sceintific instruments, including a lunar seismometer, to the Moon,s surface in the 1990's. The project was done on a shoestring budget of about $41 Million, a small group of Japanese scientist sent two satellites aflot at 8:46 PM or 6:46 AM New York Tim. john
390.17	Three new satellites in Earth orbit	WRKSYS::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Thu Feb 08 1990 13:23`	85
	Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: MOS 1-B Launched Date: 7 Feb 90 22:44:09 GMT Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) [This message is posted for Yoshiro Yamada of the Yokohama Science Center. -PEY] * MOS-1b Launched * Marine Observation Satellite 1-b (MOS-1b) was successfully launched from Tanegashima Space Center at 10:33:00 JST (UT+9h) on February 7, by the H-1 rocket. All separation phases for MOS-1b, DEBUT (Deployable Boom and Umbrella Test) and JAS-1b (Japan Amateur Satellite-1b) were confirmed. After the launch, the three payloads were nicknamed as follows: MOS-1B MOMO-1B (MOMO means peach in Japanese) DEBUT ORIZURU (ORIZURU means crane shaped by folding paper in Japanese) JAS-1b FUJI-2 (FUJI has two meanings in Japanese: Mt. Fuji and wisteria) Missions: MOS-1b o Continue overall Earth observations by Multi-spectrum Electronic Self - a scanning Radio-meter, Visible and Thermal Infrared Radiometer, Microwave Scanning Radiometer and Data Collection System. o Establish Earth observation satellite operation technology including two satellite parallel operation. o Establish Sun-synchronous orbit injection technology by H-1 launch vehicle. Piggy Back Payloads DEBUT o Deployable Boom and Umbrella Test (DEBUT) Satellite is the payload which performs function verification experiments in a space environment on a boom mechanism capable of being extended/retracted and an aerodynamic umbrella capable of being opened/closed. JAS-1b o JAS-1b (Japan Amateur Satellite-1b) is a satellite which facilitates worldwide satellite communications by amateur radio. The launch of JAS-1b enables amateur radio operators to learn about space science and satellites, also to understand space communication. JAS-1b will become the successor of JAS-1/Fuji-OSCAR 12, the Japan's first amateur satellite launched in 1986. Orbit MOS-1b Altitude approx. 909km Inclination approx. 99deg Configuration Box type attached with cantilever type solar paddle: main body 1.26x1.48x2.40(m) solar paddle 2.00x5.28(m) Weight approx. 740kg (at launch) Mission life 2 years DEBUT Altitude elliptical approx. 900x1600(km) Inclination approx. 99deg Configuration stored: 400mm in diameter(26-side polyhedron) 470mm in length (structure+boom+ aerodynamic umbrella) Weight 50+/-1 kg Power Subsystem Battery: Lithium battery (capacity 95 Ah) Design Service Life approx. 10 days (due to life of the internal primary battery) JAS-1b Altitude elliptical approx. 900x1600(km) Inclination approx. 99deg Configuration 440mm in diameter. 470mm in length Weight approx. 50kg (Sources: NASDA Information for Press and personal communication)
390.18	food for thought, maybe	USMRM3::SPOPKES		`Fri Feb 23 1990 15:38`	10
	I unfortunately know zero about orbital dynamics. From inspection of their orbit, it seems a cheap way to drop things on the moon. Can things be easily detached at either end of an elliptical orbit? Can something in such an orbit act as a sort of "shuttle" between earth and moon? For example, a station that you dock with on the earth side of the ellips, then brake away from on the moon side. Or is this an impractical idea? steve p
390.19		DECWIN::FISHER	Burns Fisher 381-1466, ZKO3-4/W23	`Mon Mar 05 1990 17:27`	11
	If you just have a platform of some sort in an earth-moon orbit with no special means of acceleration or decceleration, I don't think it would help much as an earth/moon shuttle. The reason is that in order to "catch" the shuttle you have to rendezvous with it. In order to rendezvous, you have to accelerate to its velocity. Once you have done that, you don't need the platform to help you get to the moon. You will go there anyway. If you expect the platform to pull you up to speed, you will somehow need to supply the energy. Therein lies the challenge. Supplying energy cheaply. Just having the spacecraft does not do that. Burns
390.20	Early results from MUSES-A dust experiment	WRKSYS::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Fri Mar 09 1990 17:09`	30
	From: u515dfi@mpirbn.UUCP (Daniel Fischer) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: MUSES-A dust experiment - first (non-)results. Date: 9 Mar 90 16:32:00 GMT Organization: The Internet It was just announced that the Munich Dust Detector aboard the Japanese MUSES-A spacecraft didn't measure any increase in dust density when it passed the L4 Lagrange Point of the Earth-Moon system on February 14. However, since it is a fairly small detector the counting rate is very small (about one dust grain per week!) and thus the statistics are not convincing. In the past three decades there has been a lot of controversy about the possibility that there are "dust moons" at the L4 and L5 points, and one Polish researcher even claimed to have seen and photographed them. [Some references: Kordylewski, Acta Astron. _11_,165{1961}; Bruman, Icarus _10_,197{1969}; Roach, Planet Space Sci. _23_, 173{1975}; Roeser, Lecture Notes in Physics _48_,124{1976}; Kordylewski, Sternenbote _21_,81{1978}] The 'phenomenon', if there is any, is very little known nowadays, and I wonder: Has it been 'killed' convincingly, either by calculation or by complete non-observation (references, please!,) or was it just forgotten? What does the 'L5 society' think about it? +- u515dfi@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de --- Daniel Fischer --- u515dfi@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de -+ \| Max-Planck-Institut f. Radioastronomie, Auf dem Huegel 69, D-5300 Bonn 1,FRG \| +----- Enjoy the Universe - it's the only one you're likely to experience -----+
390.21	HITEN in orbit around Earth's Moon	WRKSYS::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Mon Mar 19 1990 21:11`	18
	Japan put a satellite into orbit around the Moon Monday, joining the United States and the Soviet Union in the accomplishment. Japan's first lunar satellite, Muses-A, completed two missions, a swing-by flight designed to boost its speed and enlarge its elliptical Earth orbit, and the placement of a smaller satellite in lunar orbit. The satellite, nicknamed Hiten, or Space Flyer, conducted its first lunar swing-by after approaching within about 9,100 miles of the Moon. The satellite will conduct a total of eight swing-bys, four acceleration and four deceleration flights, during its flight. Hiten, a cylindrical satellite, 33 inches in height and 4.6 feet in diameter and weighing 400 pounds, travels around Earth at 2,237 mph. The satellite was put aboard the domestically developed M3S-2 rocket Jan. 24 from the Tanegashima Space Center, south of Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu.
390.22	Lunar orbiter actually named HAGOROMO	WRKSYS::KLAES	N = R*fgfpneflfifaL	`Mon Mar 26 1990 13:30`	27
	From: kd2bd@ka2qhd.UUCP (John Magliacane) Newsgroups: rec.ham-radio,sci.space Subject: * SpaceNews 26-Mar-90 * Date: 25 Mar 90 02:14:51 GMT Organization: KA2QHD Public Access Unx,Ocean NJ Bulletin ID: SPC0326 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY MARCH 26, 1990 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, NJ, and is distributed weekly around the world on USENET and Amateur Packet Radio. It is available for UNLIMITED worldwide distribution. MUSES-A NEWS * ================ Hiten (MUSES-A) made the first lunar swingby at 05h04m09s JST (UT+9h) on 19th at the distance 14,073km, 27 minutes earlier Hiten separated a lunar orbiter and its rocket put it in lunar orbit. The orbiter was named HAGOROMO, which means "angel's robe" in Japanese. [Source: The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19 evening edition]
390.23	Japan forms space consortium	26523::KLAES	The Universe, or nothing!	`Fri May 25 1990 14:00`	46
	Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: NASA Headline News for 05/24/90 (Forwarded) Date: 24 May 90 23:14:00 GMT Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA ----------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, May 24, 1990 Audio Service: 202/755-1788 ----------------------------------------------------------------- This is NASA Headline News for Thursday, May 24: Reuters reports that 13 Japanese companies have formed a consortium to produce launch vehicles and compete in the international satellite- launching business. The effort is led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Here's the broadcast schedule for NASA Select TV. All times are EDT. Thursday, May 24: 11:30 A.M. NASA Update will be transmitted 12:00 P.M. The Hubble Space Telescope first test pictures. 12:50 P.M. HST: Exploring the Depths of the Universe. 1:00 P.M. The Eagle Has Landed: The Flight of Apollo 11 1:30 P.M. Apollo 11 Crew Interview Friday, May 25: 9:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M. 5201 Validation Testing All events and times are subject to change without notice. These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12:00 P.M. EDT. This is a service of the Internal Communications Branch, NASA HQ. Contact: JSTANHOPE on NASAmail or at FTS 453-8425. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Select TV: Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band 72 Degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz. -----------------------------------------------------------------
390.24	HAGOROMO falls silent	26523::KLAES	The Universe, or nothing!	`Wed May 30 1990 14:37`	10
	In the July 1990 issue of SKY & TELESCOPE magazine, there is a very brief article on page 14 stating that "Japan's HAGOROMO, a satellite that went into orbit around the Moon in March, was not completely successful. Its transmitted failed, making the probe untrackable." Does anyone have more details on this incident? Thank you. Larry
390.25	RE 390.24	26523::KLAES	The Universe, or nothing!	`Thu May 31 1990 19:30`	26
	Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: Japan's first lunar probe falls silent. Date: 31 May 90 16:29:22 GMT Reply-To: baalke@mars.UUCP (Ron Baalke) Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. In article <12047@shlump.nac.dec.com> klaes@renoir.dec.com writes: > In the July 1990 issue of SKY & TELESCOPE magazine, there is a > very brief article on page 14 stating that "Japan's HAGOROMO, a > satellite that went into orbit around the Moon in March, was not > completely successful. Its transmitter failed, making the probe > untrackable." > > Does anyone have more details on this incident? According to Dr. Uesugi, head of MUSES-A project, Hagoromo's transmitter failed before Hiten's first flyby. So the rocket firing of Hagoromo for putting into lunar orbit was optically confirmed through the Schmidt camera (105-cm, F3.1) of Kiso Observatory, Japan. _ _____ _ \| \| \| __ \ \| \| Ron Baalke \| baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov \| \| \| \|__) \| \| \| Jet Propulsion Lab \| baalke@jems.jpl.nasa.gov ___\| \| \| ___/ \| \|___ M/S 301-355 \| \|_____/ \|_\| \|_____\| Pasadena, CA 91109 \|
390.26	Next Japanese lunar mission	26523::KLAES	The Universe, or nothing!	`Tue Jun 05 1990 20:09`	25
	Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: NASA Headline News for 06/01/90 (Forwarded) Date: 3 Jun 90 05:59:21 GMT Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA ----------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, June 1, 1990 Audio Service: 202/755-1788 ----------------------------------------------------------------- This is NASA Headline News for Friday, June 1: In 1996, the Japanese plan to explore the Moon. Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science next month is expected to propose a $100 million mission to explore the Moon with probes that would penetrate the lunar soil. --------------------------------------------------------------- All events and times are subject to change without notice. These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12:00 Noon, EDT. This is a service of the Internal Communications Branch, NASA HQ. Contact: JSTANHOPE on NASAmail or at 202/453-8425. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Select TV: Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band 72 Degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz. -----------------------------------------------------------------
390.27	HITEN makes second flyby of Luna	26523::KLAES	The Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Jul 23 1990 22:22`	23
	From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: NASA Headline News for 07/09/90 (Forwarded) Date: 16 Jul 90 01:33:13 GMT ----------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, July 9, 1990 Audio Service: 202/755-1788 ----------------------------------------------------------------- This is NASA Headline News for Monday, July 9: Japan's Hiten probe is scheduled to make its second lunar swingby on July 10. -------------------------------------------------------------- All events and times may change without notice. This report is filed daily, Monday through Friday at 12:00 P.M., EDT. This is a service of the Internal Communications Branch, NASA HQ. Contact: JSTANHOPE or CREDMOND on NASAmail or at 202/453-8425. -------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Select TV: Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band, 72 Degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz. JSNEWS7-9 ---------------------------------------------------------------
390.28	Japan developing satellite fuel/battery carrier	26523::KLAES	The Universe, or nothing!	`Tue Jul 24 1990 18:38`	67
	Date: 23 Jul 90 17:58:38 GMT From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Subject: NASA Headline News for 07/23/90 (Forwarded) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, July 23, 1990 Audio Service: 202/755-1788 ----------------------------------------------------------------- This is NASA Headline News for Monday, July 23: Japan's National Space Development Agency is investigating a "robot satellite" that could ferry fuel and batteries to other satellites, according to SPACE FAX DAILY via the Ashi News Service. The story said the spacecraft would be capable of changing orbits and of delivering supplies to the Japan Experiment Module aboard Space Station Freedom. If government funding is forthcoming, NASDA could launch an experimental version of the satellite by 1995. --------------------------------------------------------------- Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA Select TV. All times are Eastern Daylight. Tuesday, July 24: 12-2:00 P.M. NASA Video Productions. 11:45 A.M. U.S. and Soviet crewmembers of the Apollo-Soyuz Space Mission 15-year reunion news briefing at the Johnson Space Center. 6-8:00 P.M. NASA Video Productions replay. Wednesday, July 25: 7:00 A.M. Tanking test on the Space Shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center. Thursday, July 26: 11:00 A.M. U.S. and Soviet crewmembers of the Apollo-Soyuz Space Mission 15-year reunion news briefing at the Kennedy Space Center. 12:00 P.M. NASA Update will be transmitted. 2:00 P.M. Magellan Status Press Conference. A summary on the Venus encounter scheduled August 10. 6:00 P.M. NASA Video Productions. Friday, July 27: 10:00 A.M. Exo-biology briefing at Ames Research Center tape replay from Thursday, July 26. -------------------------------------------------------------- All events and times may change without notice. This report is filed daily, Monday through Friday at 12:00 P.M., EDT. This is a service of the Internal Communications Branch, NASA HQ. Contact: JSTANHOPE on NASAmail or at 202/453-8425. -------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Select TV: Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band, 72 Degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz. JSNEWS7-23 ---------------------------------------------------------------
390.29	More on HITEN	26523::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Jul 26 1990 14:08`	15
	Date: 25 Jul 90 21:28:09 GMT From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Subject: Hiten (Forwarded) [Forwarded for Yoshiro Yamada. -PEY] According to Prof. Uesugi, ISAS, Japan, Hiten made the second lunar swingby at 18h58m34s JST (=UTC+9h) on July 10 at the selenocentric distance 76,083km. The third swingby is set for August 4. Yoshiro Yamada Astronomy Section Yokohama Science Center yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp
390.30	Japan-U.S. cooperation in space agreement	26523::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Jul 30 1990 15:05`	65
	Date: 27 Jul 90 18:13:38 GMT From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Subject: NASA and Japan agree on new areas of space cooperation (Forwarded) Debra J. Rahn Headquarters, Washington, D.C. July 27, 1990 (Phone: 202/453-8455) RELEASE: 90-106 NASA AND JAPAN AGREE ON NEW AREAS OF SPACE COOPERATION NASA and Japan's Ministry of State for Science and Technology agreed to new areas of space cooperation during a Senior Standing Liaison Group (SSLG) meeting held in Tokyo, July 26. NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly and Minister Tomoji Oshima, Ministry of State for Science and Technology, co-chaired the meeting. The following are the new NASA/Japan projects: o Observation of the Ozone Layer -- NASA will fly a Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instrument and the Environment Agency of Japan will fly the Improved Limb Atmospheric Spectrometer and the Retroreflector in Space on Japan's ADEOS spacecraft to measure atmospheric constituents. ADEOS, the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite, is scheduled for launch in 1995. NASA and the Environment Agency of Japan will exchange data between the two agencies' instruments and continue research on a comparison of ground-based and satellite data. o Space Environment Monitoring -- Data will be exchanged between NASA, NOAA and the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL) of Japan using NASA's Space Physics Analysis Network (SPAN). CRL was connected to SPAN in 1989 and plans to receive real-time solar wind data from future NASA missions. o Space Station Solar Terrestrial Physics -- NASA and Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science will continue discussions on use of the Neutral Environment with Plasma Interactions Monitoring System and other systems to measure the solar-terrestrial environment from Space Station Freedom. o Space Microgravity Experiments -- NASA and the National Space Development Agency of Japan will continue cooperation in microgravity science on Space Shuttle Spacelab missions. The first Japanese payload specialist, Dr. Mamoru Mohri, will fly onboard Spacelab-J in 1991. During the meeting, Administrator Truly and Minister Oshima also discussed the ongoing cooperation between the two countries on the construction and utilization of Space Station Freedom. They emphasized the importance of adequate funding for the project in both countries and agreed on the importance of Japan's gaining manned spaceflight experience in preparation for it. Additional areas of discussion included joint projects in X- ray and infrared astronomy, cosmic ray research, the study of ocean dynamics, measurement of cloud height by satellite stereography, reception of Japan's first Marine Observation Satellite data and satellite measurements of tropical rainfall. The SSLG was established in 1979 by NASA and Japanese government space agencies. Senior-level NASA and Japanese space officials have met in the SSLG on a periodic basis to review cooperative projects. The next meeting of the SSLG will take place in the United States.
390.31	HITEN Update - July 31	26523::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Wed Aug 01 1990 16:26`	39
	Date: 1 Aug 90 01:39:11 GMT From: (Ron Baalke) Subject: Hiten Update - 07/31/90 Hiten Update July 31, 1990 Japan's Moon probe, Hiten, made its second lunar flyby on July 10. The probe was launched into Earth orbit on January 24, 1990. It was then known as MUSES-A, but was renamed to Hiten once in orbit. The 430 lb probe looped out from Earth and made its first lunar flyby (within 9,100 miles of the Moon) on March 19, where it dropped off its 26 lb midget satellite, Hagoromo. Japan became the third nation to orbit a satellite around the Moon, joining the Unites States and USSR. Hiten is currently traveling at 2,237 mph on an oblong path around Earth, picking up lunar gravity assists as it swings by the Moon. The third lunar flyby is scheduled for August 4. Aboard Hiten is a West German micrometeorite counter which records weight, speed and direction of dust particles striking the spacecraft. The smaller spacecraft, Hagoromo, will remain in orbit around the Moon. An apparently broken transistor radio caused the Japanese space scientists to lose track of it. Hagoromo's rocket motor fired on schedule on March 19, but the spacecraft's tracking transmitter failed immediately. The cross-shaped antenna on the 1-foot tall Hagoromo was supposed to allow radio contact with controllers on Earth. Japanese astronomers were able to see Hagoromo orbiting the Moon using large optical telescopes. Hagoromo is probably doing its job of recording temperatures and electrical fields around the Moon, but is unable to transit the data to Hiten for relay to Earth. ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Ron Baalke \| baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|___ Jet Propulsion Lab \| baalke@jems.jpl.nasa.gov /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| M/S 301-355 \| \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ Pasadena, CA 91109 \|
390.32	HAGAROMO's rocket plume was observed	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Aug 13 1990 15:42`	16
	Date: 10 Aug 90 11:49:55 GMT From: mcsun!unido!mpirbn!p515dfi@uunet.uu.net (Daniel Fischer) Subject: The 'Hiten Update 31 July 1990' was right! Several netters had questioned the Japanese report that astronomers have observed the tiny Hagaromo subsatellite of Hiten in its lunar orbit. As reported in Nature Vol.346 (2 Aug 1990) p. 400, however, the story was almost correct: ] ISAS called on astronomers throughout Japan to train their telescopes on the ] Moon on 18 March, when the lunar orbiter's tiny engine was fired after it had ] been released by Hiten. A plume from the rocket was indeed photographed with ] a telescope on Mount Kiso, 200km west of Tokyo, and although the lunar ] orbiter has never been seen or heard of since, ISAS scientists are confident ] that it successfully achieved lunar orbit.
390.33	HITEN and BS-3a Updates	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Tue Aug 28 1990 14:38`	289
	Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: BS-3a INFORMATION (Forwarded) Date: 27 Aug 90 19:53:31 GMT Reply-To: yee@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Peter Yee) Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA [Received this from Yoshiro Yamada of the Yokohama Science Center. I was not able to clean up all of the text, so you will find the tables a bit confusing, but I think the information is still extractable. -PEY] * HITEN NEWS * According to Professor Uesugi, ISAS, Japan, the Hiten spacecraft made its third lunar swingby on 04-Aug-90 at 16:43:42 JST (=UTC + 9hrs) at a selenocentric distance of 32,000 km. The fourth swingby is expected on 07-Sep-90. * BS-3a INFORMATION * >From NASDA Information for Press (IA-000155, August 1990): The following is the information on BS-3a launch: TYPE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE: H-I Launch Vehicle Flight No.7 SATELLITE: Broadcasting Satellite-3a (BS-3a) PLANNED LAUNCH DATE: 24 August 1990 PLANNED LAUNCH WINDOW: 17:30 - 19:45 (JST=UTC+9h) BACK-UP LAUNCH WINDOW: 25 August 1990 (Saturday) - 30 September 1990 (Sunday) LAUNCH SITE: Osaki H-I Launch Complex Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) NASDA Uzu, Kukinaga, Minamitane-machi, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima Pref. The satellite is going to succeed BS-2a and 2b named Yuri-2a and 2b launched respectively by Japanese N-II launch vehicle in January 1984 and February 1986. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Foreword The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will launch the Broadcasting Satellite-3a (BS-3a) via an H-I launch vehicle (H22F)* either in August or September 1990. This material provides the following explanations: (1) Launch program of H22F carrying the BS-3a, extending to third stage/satellite separation phases and their confirmation. (2) Satellite tracking and control program, including the launch phase in which the BS-3a preparatory operations for tracking and control are carried out, as well as the initial phase consisting of injecting the satellite into drift orbit, then into a geostationary earth orbit (GEO), and functional checks of the satellite's on-board equipment after its injection into GEO. * Serial flight number from the first N-I launch vehicle at Tanegashima Space Center 1.2 Objectives The objectives of the mission are to launch the BS-3a by H-I launch vehicle, and to track and control satellite for operational use by user organizations. BS-3a was developed to take over broadcasting services from BS-2 and to meet the increasing and diversifying broadcasting demands as well as to establish the advanced satellite broadcasting technology. 1.3 Launch Date (1) Launch Window: August 24 (Fri.) - September 30 (Sun.), 1990 (2) Launch Date and Time : Type of Planned Back-up Launch Vehicle splash launch launch launch window down time-frame vehicle date date August 25 (Sat.) 17:30 (JST) SOBs: H22F August 24 to 19:45 (JST) 0 - 6 min. after launch September 30 (Sun.) 1st stage and payload For all launch fairing : dates 10 - 20 min. after launch SOBs: Strap-on Boosters 2 LAUNCH PPOGRAM 2.1 Launch Site Osaki Range Tanegashima Space Center, NASDA Minamitane-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima, 891-77 Japan 2.2 Flight Plan The H22F carrying BS-3a will be vertically launched from the Osaki Range of the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle will incline its vertical pitch plane at 92.5 degrees of the planned initial launch azimuth from the north, and fly the trajectory over the Pacific Ocean. The strap-on boosters and the first stage will be separated 85 seconds and 278 seconds respectively after lift-off. Second stage engine cut-off will occur 645 seconds after lift-off upon receiving a command from the on-board guidance equipment, and the launch vehicle will be injected into the planned parking orbit. It will then stabilize its attitude for the third stage motor ignition for injection into transfer orbit during its inertial flight. The third stage will be separated from the second stage above the equator. The third stage motor will then be ignited, and the third stage and satellite will be injected into the planned transfer orbit. The satellite will be separated from the third stage, at an altitude of 190 km, at 2 degrees S. latitude and 149 degrees W. longitude. 2.3 Satellite 2.3.1 Outline Broadcasting Satellite-3a (BS-3a) will continue the technological development of satellite broadcasting and satisfy the existing broadcasting service requirements. BS-3a is scheduled to be launched in August 1990 into a geostationary orbit at 110 degrees east longitude. The satellite is a three-axis stabilized box type satellite and will succeed Broadcasting Satellite-2 (BS-2). BS-3 differs from BS-2 and has the improvements described below: (1) The following subsystems were developed using Japanese technologies: .. Communications subsystems .. Telemetry, tracking, and command subsystem (2) The following improvements enable transmitting more complete and stable radio waves: .. Increased the broadcasting channels: 2ch to 3ch .. Increased TWT output power: 100W to 120W .. Improved reliability: Common spare system to complete spare system (full redundancy) .. Extended service life: 5 years (target) to 7 years .. Increased gain by improving the antenna pattern .. Installed wide-band transponder (3) Employment of the apogee kick motor (AKM) produced in Japan The domestically produced AKM, partially modified for the BS-3, has been flight-proven on the Engineering Test Satellite-V (ETS-V). 2.3.2 Missions The BS-3a missions are listed below. (1) Broadcasting three TV channels Three TV transponders are installed onboard BS-3a to enable broadcasting on three channels, BS channels 3, 7 and 11. BS channels 7 and 11 will be used by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) while the BS channel 3 will be used by Japan Satellite Broadcasting Inc. (JSB). (2) Experiments with a wide-band transponder A 20W, wide-band transponder is installed onboard BS-3a in addition to the broadcasting transponders. Experiments for future broadcasting such as high resolution image transmission will be conducted. 2.3.3 Overall configuration and major characteristics BS-3a is designed to have overall configuration and weight adaptable for the H-I launch vehicle. The BS-3a is manufactured based on the Satcom 3000 bus series of General Electric Co., Astro-Space Division in U.S.A. The BS-3a configuration consists of a box type main body which is composed of six aluminum honeycomb panels having a center cylinder and large solar paddles. The satellite is approx. 15m long (after the solar paddles are deployed) and 3.2m in height (including antenna section), and the box section measures 1.3m x 1.6m x 1.6m. Its dimensions at launch with the solar paddles folded in are 3.2m x 1.6m x 1.6m which is suitable for the H-I launch vehicle fairing. The equipment layout of the BS-3a is decided by integrally considering the visual field of the sensors, operability during assembly and checkout, maintainability, and interchangeability as well as the thermal, electrical and mechanical conditions such as heat generation, thermal and electric loss of the equipment, and balance. Since the communications subsystems generate much heat, they are installed on the northeastern and southwestern panels, and antenna panel. The broadcasting antenna is installed on the antenna panel so as not to disrupt the patterns due to the interference by equipment other than the antenna. An improved Satcom 3000 bus series is utilized for the BS-3a. Table Satellite Main Characteristics (1/2) Item Function or Performance Dimensions Satellite box overall 1.3 x 1.6 x 1.6m Paddle deployed 15m Height (with ANT) 3.2m Weight At launch 1,115kg On geostationary orbit 55Okg Attitude Bias momentum three-axis control Earth sensor, roll/yaw gyro control (spin stabilization in transfer orbit ) Spin rate 60 +/- 6 rpm Station keeping Geostationary position 110 deg E longitude +/- 0.1 deg(EW, NS) accuracy Antenna beam Antenna beam direction accuracy +/- 0.1 deg direction accuracy Antenna beam rotation accuracy +/- 0.6 deg Design life Over 7 years Reliability (EOL) Bus over 0.8 Broadcasting transponder, communication antenna over 0.9 Wide-band transponder over 0.8 Communications Broadcasting Over 120W of TWT output subsystem active use 3ch + auxiliary 3ch (COM) Wide band Over 20W of TWT output active use : 1ch Frequency 12 GHz band for transmission 14 GHz band for receiving Communication Shaped-beam, offset parabolic antenna antenna subsystem 12GHz band Over 37 dBi in most part of Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu (COM) and Hokkaido Over 35 dBi in Okinawa Main Island Over 28 dBi throughout Japan including isolated islands such as Ogasawara Island 14GHz band Over 34 dBi in most part of Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Hokkaido Over 30 dBi throughout Japan, including isolated islands such Ogasawara Island Telemetry, Frequency S band and K band tracking and command Telemetry Bit rate 512 bps subsystem Modulation method PCM/PSK/PM (TT&C) Telemetry items 700 Command Bit rate 125 bps Modulation method PCM/PSK/PM Command items 400 Table Satellite Main Characteristics (2/2) Item Function or Performance Attitude and Attitude control: Spin stabilization (transfer orbit and part of orbit control drift orbit) subsystem Bias momentum three-axis attitude stabilization (AOCS) (on drift orbit and geostationary orbit) Reaction Method Monopropellant blow down control Number of thrusters 13 catalytic thrusters subsystem 4 electro-thermal thrusters (RCS) Tank 4 surface tension type tanks Capacity: 170kg (max.) Electrical Power supply Bus voltage High-voltage bus output 100VDC power Low-voltage bus output 23.5 to 35.5VDC subsystem and solar paddle Battery capacity 17AH x 2 subsystem (EPS/PADL) Solar paddle 3 panels x 2 wings Electric power (BOL) HV 1,443W LV 501W (EOL) HV 1,093W LV 389W BSR type silicon Non P, 2 x 4cm 16,000 cells Apogee kick Diameter 0.8m (AKM) Overall length 1.5m Propellant weight 515kg (max.) Total thrust 151 ton.f.s (2O DEG C) Total burning time less than 70 sec. Structure Center structure (cylinder, cone, bulkhead) subsystem 8 out-board panels Thermal Passive and active thermal control method (OSR, Heater and heat pipe subsystem are also used.) ============================================================================= [BS-3A update] NASDA BS-3a satellite was scheduled for launch on August 24, but technical problems postponed to August 28. Yoshiro Yamada Yokohama Science Center yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp
390.34	Japan's plans for Luna, Venus, Mars, and beyond	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Tue Oct 09 1990 15:07`	55
	From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle Subject: Space news from August 20 AW&ST Date: 9 Oct 90 06:27:10 GMT Organization: U of Toronto Zoology Japan's Insitute of Space and Astronautical Science decides to initiate development of an Atlas-class booster for science payloads. This will be a further upgrade of ISAS's current M-3S-2 solid booster, a design which has already had many incremental updates [and is now somewhere in between Scout and Atlas in capacity]. First flight 1994, carrying a spacecraft for VLBI radio astronomy. Launches will continue to be from Kagoshima. ISAS is planning several other astronomy and geophysics missions meanwhile, and is looking at using the M-5 for Mars/Venus orbiters and a lunar mission carrying several penetrators. The long-term plan is to develop a series of M-5-launched spacecraft, so that each major space-science discipline will have a mission every five or six years. [Resemblance of this to the Solar System Exploration Committee's "Planetary Observer" series, largely dead at the hands of NASA and Congress, is probably not accidental... It looks like the Japanese recognize a good idea when they see one.] Early development work for the lunar penetrators is already underway; three of them would be launched from a lunar orbiter. The Muses-A mission required some emergency revisions after an unexpected error in final velocity from the M-3S-2, which put the orbit rather short of the Moon. (The error was only about 50 m/s, but that's a lot out there.) The Hiten mother craft expended a fair bit of its control fuel fixing the orbit. A further problem appeared when it became clear that the Hagoromo lunar-orbiter subsatellite had experienced a transmitter failure before separation; lunar-orbit injection was confirmed instead by infrared photography (from two ground sites) of its rocket plume. Hiten has since made another lunar flyby, and will make several more before its mission ends; its primary purpose is to give Japanese engineers practice in such maneuvers. Major joint project in Japan (three government agencies and thirteen companies) is near completion of development on a reusable spacecraft meant to carry technological experiments up for long stays in low orbit. It will be launched by the third H-2, and recovered by a US shuttle mission six months later, on its first mission. (There are doubts being raised about later flights, given the high cost of more H-2 launches.) Experiments on the initial flight include various materials-processing packages, a large-space-structure deployment test, an infrared astronomical telescope, and a flight test of a magneto-plasma-dynamic thruster for possible use on future spacecraft. NASDA postpones launch of the BS-3A broadcast satellite at least three weeks due to a helium leak in ground-support equipment at Tanegashima. Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry
390.35	Japan space news from August 27 AW&ST	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Oct 15 1990 15:55`	71
	From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle Subject: Space news from August 27 AW&ST Date: 15 Oct 90 04:23:00 GMT Organization: U of Toronto Zoology ISAS discloses that the Astro-C, aka Ginga, X-ray astronomy satellite is losing altitude more quickly than expected, and has been since around the start of the year. Intense solar activity is blamed. At this rate it will reenter within a year. It was launched in 1987 for a nominally one-year mission, but is still active. NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp) decides to launch its BS-3A tvsat without insurance. Launch is set for late August on an H-1. Reasons for the decision were undisclosed, but satellite insurance is expensive and NHK has been criticized lately for financial losses. Soviets say they now have adequate data on free-fall effects for periods of up to a year, and do not immediately plan any more very long stays. Mir crews will be up a mere six months each for the next couple of years. [For those who aren't aware of it, the US record is three months aboard SKYLAB in 1974.] Mir crews in the near future will include a lot of guest cosmonauts, who will go up with a new crew and back down with the old one. This December the Japanese TV reporter will fly. Next summer's crew has the British Juno cosmonaut pencilled in, despite Juno's funding problems. The late-1991 crew will have the Austrian cosmonaut, and the mid-1992 crew the next French cosmonaut. All are paying customers. Long story on Japan's first shuttle astronaut, Mamoru Mark Mohri, now in training for the Spacelab J mission late next year. Two more Japanese shuttle astronauts are set to fly on International Microgravity Lab missions in 1993 and 1995. NASDA values these missions particularly for the flight experience they will contribute to design of the Japanese space-station module. The Japanese astronauts say they already have one problem to report with the Spacelab J hardware: It is too heavily automated, leaving little possibility of manual troubleshooting in case of difficulties. "All we can do is shut it down." They also say that NASA's post-Challenger safety-documentation requirements are excessive and are interfering with mission planning. [Lots more details on the experiments to be flown. - HS] Details of ISAS's next two major scientific satellites: Solar A, for launch late next year, with the first solar imaging equipment to beat the capabilities of Skylab's solar telescope [from 1973], and Geotail, a solar-wind probe with very long antennas, a joint ISAS-NASA project for launch on Delta in mid-1992. [Details on experiments.] Descriptions of the Japan's next two astronomy satellites, Astro-D (1993) and Muses-B (1995). Astro-D will carry an X-ray telescope with much better sensitivity and spectral resolution than existing ones. Muses-B will be a radio observatory for VLBI work together with ground-based receivers. Both will be launched from Kagoshima, Astro-D on the last M-3S-2 and Muses-B on the first M-5. Both missions are international collaborations, with NASA supplying the X-ray telescope for Astro-D and various nations planning radio observations in conjunction with Muses-B. Both also present design challenges, with Astro-D's telescope having to telescope [!] to fit under the M-3S-2 payload fairing, and Muses-B's 10m dish presenting problems in both antenna deployment and precise attitude control of a flexible spacecraft. Story on Japanese studies, both government and commercial, for autonomous space stations, lunar bases, and advanced concepts for both launch and in-space propulsion. One project of note is work on electric propulsion for deep-space missions, notably the Jupiter probes specifically mentioned in Japan's new government space policy. -- Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry
390.36	HITEN Update - October 19	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Fri Oct 19 1990 19:43`	22
	From: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro Subject: Hiten Update Date: 19 Oct 90 17:02:51 GMT Sender: news@jato.jpl.nasa.gov Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. Forwarded from Yoshiro Yamada Astronomy Section Yokohama Science Center --------------------------------------------------------------- According to ISAS, the Hiten spacecraft made its fifth lunar swingby on 02-Oct-90 at 12:01 JST (=UTC + 9hrs) at a selenocentric distance of 22,400 km. The sixth swingby is expected on 03-Jan-91. ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Ron Baalke \| baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|___ Jet Propulsion Lab \| baalke@jems.jpl.nasa.gov /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| M/S 301-355 \| \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ Pasadena, CA 91109 \|
390.37	Review of U.S. / Japan Space Cooperation	4347::GRIFFIN	Dave Griffin	`Thu Nov 29 1990 22:06`	51
	11/29/90: REVIEW OF U.S./JAPAN SPACE COOPERATION RELEASE: 90-156 NASA and the Space Activities Commission of Japan (SAC) held a series of meetings in Arlington, Va., during the week of Nov. 26, culminating in the fourth meeting of the NASA/SAC Cooperative Space Activities Planning Group on Nov. 29. The Cooperative Space Activities Planning Group meets annually to review ongoing space cooperation between the U.S. and Japan. Discussions focused on a number of collaborative projects in the fields of astrophysics, solar system science, microgravity science, life science and Earth observation. The meeting was co- chaired by Dr. Lennard Fisk, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, and Mr. Katsuhisa Ida, Director- General, Research and Development Bureau, Science and Technology Agency (STA) of Japan. During the week, Ida met with senior NASA officials, including Richard H. Truly, NASA Administrator. During these meetings, the following cooperative proposals were discussed: o NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight Dr. William B. Lenoir affirmed to Ida that two Japanese candidates are invited to join the next NASA Mission Specialist training class, beginning in July 1992. The Japanese Mission Specialist candidates will participate in training on the same basis as U.S. Mission Specialist candidates at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. It is NASA's intent to offer a Space Shuttle flight assignment to one or both of the Japanese Mission Specialist candidates in the years following the successful completion of the training program. o NASA and STA are actively reviewing options for flying Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) hardware on a Space Shuttle mission in the mid-1990s. The JEM is Japan's contribution to the Space Station Freedom program. The purpose of such a Shuttle flight would be to demonstrate in space a key element of the JEM. o NASA also offered Japan an opportunity to send Japanese engineers to work and train in the Mission Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center during mission preparation and operations activities for the Spacelab-J mission. This will enable Japan to obtain additional flight operations experience prior to the Space Station era. The next meeting of the Cooperative Space Activities Planning Group will be next fall in Japan. - end -
390.38	Japanese GINGA detects powerful quasar burst	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Jan 14 1991 19:33`	104
	From: clarinews@clarinet.com (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer) Newsgroups: clari.tw.space Subject: Explosive quasar eruption seen Date: 14 Jan 91 16:58:07 GMT Astronomers Monday announced the discovery of a record eruption from a quasar 2 billion light years away, an unimaginable three-minute burst of energy that, when viewed from Earth, rivaled the total output of the sun over nearly 1 million years. ``Quasars, even in their quiet state, are really mind boggling in how much energy they radiate,'' said astronomer Ronald Remillard, co-author of a paper on the flare presented Monday at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Philadelphia. ``That's just part of why so many astronomy researchers are working on trying to really nail down the last secrets about them because it's just phenomenal what they do.'' A Japanese satellite named ``Ginga'' -- Galaxy -- recorded the X-ray burst from quasar PKS 0558-504 in the constellation Orion at 8:12 p.m. EST Nov. 13, 1989. The quasar is believed to be 2 billion light years from Earth, so far that light, traveling 186,000 miles per second, took 2 billion years to cover the distance. The announcement of the flare discovery was made Monday after extensive analysis to make sure the unusual signal was real. The discovery was made by graduate student Bruce Grossan, Remillard and Hale Bradt, all of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.; Takaya Ohashi of the University of Tokyo; and Yasuo Tanaka, Kiyoshi Hayashida and Fumijoshi Makino, all of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in Sagamihara, Japan. Remillard said the signal detected by Ginga indicated a record three- minute eruption equal to the sun's total energy output over nearly 1 million years, assuming the outburst was spread evenly in all directions. To put that into perspective, the sun produces about 53 million watts of power each second for every square yard of its surface, enough power per square yard to light 100,000 average homes. Put another way, the sun converts 660 million tons of matter into energy every second. The conversion of a mere 1 pound of hydrogen into energy through nuclear fusion can power a 100 watt light bulb for 450,000 years. But when it comes to sheer energy production, nothing in the known universe rivals the output of quasars, mysterious objects that can be as small as a single solar system and yet outshine entire galaxies. It is widely believed that quasars are located at the cores of distant galaxies that serve as hosts to super-massive black holes, objects with such tremendous gravity that not even light can escape. Quasar PKS 0558-504 is thought to have a central black hole with a mass of at least 100 million times that of the sun. As gas, dust and other stellar debris falls into such black holes, it is heated to extreme temperatures. High energy light in the form of X- rays and gamma rays is emitted before the matter falls into the black hole, past the point where gravity prevents anything from escaping. ``For the time being, it's certainly taken for granted that the gravity of a super-collapsed object is about the only thing anyone can imagine that could power (a quasar),'' Remillard said in a telephone interview from Cambridge. But the very energy emitted by material falling into the hole can produce an outward pressure pushing against the falling matter. ``The natural thing to assume if you see a quasar flare is that, well, just an extra blob of stuff fell into the system,'' Remillard said. ``The problem is ... while gravity is pulling things in and keeping the gas together near the quasar, as you start adding more and more light coming out of the thing, the light starts pushing on the gas. It wants to drive stuff outward.'' Calculations show there is a limit to how much a quasar's energy output can increase in a given period of time ``before you're actually getting too much light out of the system and it's going to stop the gas from going in,'' Remillard said. ``The problem with our flare is we exceed that number.'' But by assuming the flare was caused by matter traveling in the direction of Earth at a velocity near the speed of light, the astronomers were able to use the concept of ``relativistic beaming'' to explain the titanic eruption, based on Einstein's theory of relativity. ``This condition ... may arise if part of the energy of the infalling matter is directed to the formation of a jet of gas that escapes in a narrow beam (like a high-pressure hose) before falling too near to the black hole,'' the researchers said in a news release. Thus, saying the three-minute flare equaled the output of the sun over nearly 1 million years is true for observers in the direction of Earth but might not be true for observers moving alongside the jet. ``It's not entirely smoke and mirrors,'' Remillard said. ``There has to be tremendous, incredible amounts of energy just to eject something like this. On the other hand, it's describing something in a way to make it realistic that's not precise anymore. In our direction it looks to be this way.''
390.39	HITEN Update - March 8	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Mar 11 1991 17:01`	57
	Date: 9 Mar 91 18:40:19 GMT From: zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl. nasa.gov!baalke@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Ron Baalke) Subject: Hiten Update - 03/08/91 HITEN STATUS REPORT March 8, 1991 Japan's small Moon probe, Hiten, made its seventh lunar flyby on March 3, passing about 13,300 km from the Moon. JPL's Deep Space Network is tracking the spacecraft. On February 28, the 34 meter Goldstone antenna supported ranging tests on Hiten, and were successful. On March 1, the same antenna was used to collect 24 minutes of ranging and doppler data. Hiten was launched into Earth orbit on January 24, 1990. The spacecraft was then known as MUSES-A, but was renamed to Hiten once in orbit. The 430 lb probe looped out from Earth and made its first lunary flyby on March 19, where it dropped off its 26 lb midget satellite, Hagoromo. Japan at this point became the third nation to orbit a satellite around the Moon, joining the Unites States and USSR. The smaller spacecraft, Hagoromo, will remain in orbit around the Moon. An apparently broken transistor radio caused the Japanese space scientists to lose track of it. Hagoromo's rocket motor fired on schedule on March 19, but the spacecraft's tracking transmitter failed immediately. The rocket firing of Hagoromo was optically confirmed using the Schmidt camera (105-cm, F3.1) at the Kiso Observatory in Japan. Hiten will continue to make lunar flybys on a regular basis, typically once a month. According to Takahiro Yamada at ISAS, Hiten will be performing aerobreaking experiments on March 19 and 30. These experiments will be done using the atmosphere of Earth. The next lunar flyby is scheduled for April 26. Key Dates for Hiten ---------------------------------------- 01/24/90 Launch 03/19/90 1st Lunar Flyby, Separation of probe 07/10/90 2nd Lunar Flyby 08/04/90 3rd Lunar Flyby 09/07/90 4th Lunar Flyby 10/02/90 5th Lunar Flyby 01/27/91 6th Lunar Flyby 03/03/91 7th Lunar Flyby 03/19/91 1st Aerobraking Maneuver 03/30/91 2nd Aerobraking Maneuver 04/26/91 8th Lunar Flyby ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| Ron Baalke \| baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Jet Propulsion Lab \| ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|___ M/S 301-355 \| Change is constant. /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| Pasadena, CA 91109 \| \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ \|
390.40	HITEN Update - March 13	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Mar 14 1991 13:20`	23
	From: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro Subject: Hiten Update - 03/13/91 Date: 13 Mar 91 16:19:44 GMT Sender: news@jato.jpl.nasa.gov Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. HITEN STATUS REPORT March 13, 1991 The Deep Space Network's 26 meter Canberra station supported ranging tests with the Hiten spacecraft on March 12. The test was successful with all ranging support objectives being met. However, the 9.6Kbps data line did fail twice during the track, but was restored on both occasions. All data was recovered with a post-pass playback. ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| Ron Baalke \| baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Jet Propulsion Lab \| ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|___ M/S 301-355 \| Change is constant. /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| Pasadena, CA 91109 \| \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ \|
390.41	Japan to launch lunar landers in 1996	ADVAX::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Tue Mar 26 1991 14:01`	24
	From: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro Subject: Japan Moon Probes article Date: 22 Mar 91 07:29:49 GMT Sender: news@jato.jpl.nasa.gov Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. Washington Times -- 3/21/91 "Japan To Send Probes to Surface of Moon" "Japan endorsed yesterday plans to send a satellite into orbit around the Moon and drop probes to study the genesis of 'moon quakes.'" The Times says the $100 million mission would make the Japanese the third group to land a probe on the Moon, after the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The story says the probes will be ready in Spring, 1996. ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| Ron Baalke \| baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Jet Propulsion Lab \| ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|___ M/S 301-355 \| Change is constant. /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| Pasadena, CA 91109 \| \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ \|
390.42	Two Japanese space developments	25626::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu May 23 1991 20:24`	29
	VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH: [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent] ===================== [Littleton, MA, USA ] Japanese Space Activities Japan's Space Activities Commission has approved initiation of the Comets and Lunar-A programs. Comets is a 2,000 kg research satellite to be developed for testing advanced communications technologies between moving vehicles and satellites. It is to be launched in 1997 from Tanegashima Space Center into a geostationary orbit. A consortium of Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba, and Nippon Electric is expected to win the development contract. Lunar-A is to be launched by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in early 1996 on an M-5 rocket. The spacecraft will be placed in a 100 km lunar orbit and will drop three penetrators to the Moon's surface. Precision seismometers in the penetrators will transmit seismic wave data back to Earth via Lunar-A. Nippon Electric is expected to be the lead contractor of Lunar-A. {AW&ST April 8,1991} <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Please send subscription and backissue requests to CASEE::VNS Permission to copy material from this VNS is granted (per DIGITAL PP&P) provided that the message header for the issue and credit lines for the VNS correspondent and original source are retained in the copy. <><><><><><><><> VNS Edition : 2321 Monday 13-May-1991 <><><><><><><><>
390.43	HITEN Update - June 20	JVERNE::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Jun 20 1991 22:37`	29
	Article 32418 From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Hiten Update (Forwarded) Date: 20 Jun 91 21:09:28 GMT Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov (USENET Administration) Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA [This information was sent to me for forwarding by Yoshiro Yamada of the Yokohama Science Center. -PEY] HITEN EVENTS Date Time (UT) Event 1991 March 19 00:43 first Earth Aerobraking (125km above Earth surface) -1.7 m/s March 30 11:36 second Earth Aerobraking(120km above Earth surface) -2.8 m/s April 26 20:34 9th lunar swingby (12600km selenocentric distance) October 2 10th lunar swingby All provided by ISAS.
390.44	SAKIGAKE to flyby Earth in January of 1992	MTWAIN::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Wed Oct 02 1991 12:51`	21
	Article 36165 From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Sakigake News (Forwarded) Date: 2 Oct 91 04:45:41 GMT Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov (USENET Administration) Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA [Posted for Yoshiro Yamada of the Yokohama Science Center. - PEY] * Sakigake News * According to ISAS NEWS (No. 126, September 1991), SAKIGAKE had been put in electronic hibernation for two and a half years until July 9, 1991. And the spacecraft will make a close approach to Earth within 70,000 km on January 8, 1992. The spacecraft will pass through the geotail; solar wind/plasma and magnetic field will be measured. * 'Sakigake' means pioneer in Japanese. It passed 7000,000 km from Comet Halley on March 11, 1986.
390.45	Japanese lunar projects	MTWAIN::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Oct 24 1991 19:59`	152
	Article: 36734 From: HIGGINS@CHIP.FNAL.GOV (Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Japanese lunar missions (was Re: lunar prospector) Date: 24 Oct 91 05:59:23 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Robert W Murphree (rwmurphr@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu) writes: >Is there some japanese plan for a lunar geochemistry mapper? Yes. Japanese interest in such a mission has been rumored for years; now I have some harder information. The paper is: "Study on Lunar Polar Orbiter" by R. Imai, T. Maeda, T. Eto, K. Ohta, Y. Kaneko, and T. Iwata Systems Engineering Dept. Tsukuba Space Center National Space Development Agency of Japan 2-1-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, 305, Japan IAF-91-034 It outlines two alternative lunar-polar-orbiter (LPO) systems, each inheriting much from NASDA's Earth observation satellite series (MOS-1, JERS-1, and ADEOS). Each would be launched on an H-II rocket and put about 2 tons in lunar orbit. The first system, the Mapping Mission, would carry: --A mapping imager, high-resolution mode: 1m resolution, 5km swath width, panchromatic low-resolution mode: 10m resolution, 50km swath, 3 spectral bands --Synthetic-aperture radar, 20m resolution, 40km swath width (This is the first time I've seen SAR proposed for a lunar mission.) --Laser altimeter, 1m resolution if they can get spacecraft pointing stability to 0.03 degrees --X-ray spectrometer, 512 channels, 16km resolution, 35km swath --Gamma-ray spectrometer, germanium semiconductor, 2.5 keV energy resolution --Other instruments are candidates, including a magnetometer, radiation monitors, or short-infrared radiometer. The second system is called the Imaging Orbiter and Landing Probe Mission. The 1.5-ton orbiter would carry only the mapping imager, gamma-ray, and X-ray instruments. A half-ton lander would separate after the initial mapping phase and landing site selection (about 3 months?) and land to "acquire ground truth" with imaging, thermocouples, and radiation monitor. The lander's major purpose, however, is to establish Japanese technology for lunar landing. Orbiter missions would last about 1 year, with 3 months required for global low-resolution multispectral mapping, These LPO studies are coupled with NASDA studies of a large and capable Lunar Mobile Explorer, an unmanned 900-kg six-wheeled rover discussed by Iwata, Eto, and Kaneko in IAF-91-446, "Lunar Mobile Explorer: The Variations and the Evolution." LME is equipped with stereo TV, a laser vaporizer and mass spectrometer to analyze soil, a sample collector arm, and a furnace to experiment with melting and processing samples. The teleoperated rover would rest and recharge its batteries during the periods when the Moon is out of sight of tracking stations in Japan. Several traverses, of lengths up to 1800 km(!), are being considered. I don't seem to have the speed (I don't have the paper, just notes on Iwata's presentation), but it's of order 1 km/hour. A data relay satellite is being considered for farside operation. Later versions of the LME might explore Mars or become construction and manufacturing robots for a lunar base. The Big Picture is that NASDA is very interested in exploring the Moon, certainly cooperating in the Space Exploration Initiative if the U.S. gets past the paper-rockets stage. They have several studies brewing of precursor probes, rovers, manned bases, infrastructure, logistics vehicles-- all the same stuff that the Western aerospace establishment has been designing and re-designing for years. They seem to have a bit more emphasis on early materials processing than typical American plans. There is no official approval for these projects (where have we heard THAT before?) but they think a 1997 launch for the LPO is reasonable. With this information, we can update the Lunar Orbiter Mission Scorecard. I'll post that as a separate message. Bill Higgins \| "Treat your password like Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory \| your toothbrush. Don't let Bitnet: HIGGINS@FNALB.BITNET \| anybody else use it-- Internet: HIGGINS@FNAL.FNAL.GOV \| and get a new one every HEPnet/SPAN: 43011::HIGGINS \| six months." --Cliff Stoll Article: 36733 From: HIGGINS@CHIP.FNAL.GOV (Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Lunar Orbiter Mission Scorecard (was Re: lunar prospector) Date: 24 Oct 91 06:00:40 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet The lunar orbiter mission scorecard: Lunar Prospector, by the Space Studies Institute and Lunar Exploration, Inc.: Low-energy-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer on low-cost spacecraft. Design complete, some instruments in hand, searching for funding (yesterday Allen Sherzer and Edmund Hack suggested that NASA might actually fly it!). Lunar Observer, by NASA: Keeps getting stomped by Congress; it was probably a mistake to glue it to SEI instead of putting it in the planetary-science pipeline. Mapping-quality imaging, high-energy-resolution gamma rays, laser and radar altimeters, other goodies. Would use the spare Mars Observer bus. Medium cost. (what, about $300 million? Started as a low-cost mission and grew.) Hard to imagine a launch before 1997. Galileo, by NASA (some German involvement): December 1992 flyby of Earth will give good imaging of Moon's north pole. Imaging spectrometer will search for hydrated minerals. Ultraviolet spectrometer will do limb scans looking for water vapor. I've heard about a search by starlight for ice in the permanently shadowed polar regions, but I don't know if this idea has survived into the science planning. LPO by NASDA: Now a detailed paper study. The usual gear, plus a possible synthetic-aperture radar instrument. I don't know how well it competes with other possible Japanese projects, or how likely it is to fly. Seems to be tied to landing-site selection for rovers; I suppose that if LME is delayed, LPO will be kicked into the future too. Soviet probes: Officials keep mentioning them, but no detailed proposals have come to my attention. Late Nineties, if ever. [There was a 1992 Soviet Lunar Orbiter Prospector mission mentioned in the last few years, based on the PHOBOS spacecraft that went to Mars. Any updated information on that project? - LK] ESA interest: Did a study comparable to Lunar Observer around 1977, died in competition with other ESA science projects. (Planetary science doesn't seem to swing much weight there. Giotto and Cassini/ Huygens are the only ESA interplanetary projects I can think of.) More information is welcome, if you have it. I would like to keep up with any new developments in lunar probes. Submarines, flying boats, robots, talking Bill Higgins pictures, radio, television, bouncing radar Fermilab vibrations off the moon, rocket ships, and HIGGINS@FNALB.BITNET atom-splitting-- all in our time. But nobody HIGGINS@FNAL.FNAL.GOV has yet been able to figure out a music SPAN: 43011::HIGGINS holder for a marching piccolo player. --Meredith Willson, 1948
390.46	Spacecraft launch schedule and SAKIGAKE update	MTWAIN::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Fri Jan 17 1992 14:20`	143
	From: DECWRL::"usenet-space-news-request@ames.arc.nasa.gov" 16-JAN-1992 23:24:25.07 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov Subj: Japanese launch schedule and Sakigake Earth swingby. Here is information on the Japanese launch schedule and Sakigake Earth Swingby. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| ------------------ Schedule for launching after 1992: Each fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends next March 31 in Japan. * The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) * 1992 (1993 February in calendar) ASTRO-D (Astronomy Satellite-D) Conducting precise observations of the X-ray images and X-ray spectra of various heavenly bodies. 1993 GEOTAIL (Geophysical Tail) The Geomagnetic Tail Observation Satellite for engaging in observations of the structure and dynamics of the solar wind and extending from the night side of the earth. This spacecraft is to be launched by the United States. GEOTAIL is a collaborative program with NASA and of USA. 1994 SFU (Space Flyer Unit) Conducting space experiments and observations and this can be recovered after it conducts the various scientific and engineering experiments. SFU is to be launched/retrieved by the U.S. Space Shuttle. 1995 MUSES-B (Mu Space Engineering Satellite-B) Conducting research on the precise mechanism of space structure and in-space astronomical observations of electromagnetic waves. 1996 LUNAR-A Elucidating the crust structure and thermal construction of the Moon's interior. Sources: Fax message on the launch schedule, Office of External Relations, ISAS. Science and Technology in Japan, October issue 1991. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Each fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends next March 31 in Japan. * National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) * 1992 VEP/OREX FMPT(STS) 1993 ETS-VI GMS-5 (Dual launch) 1994 ADEOS IML-2(STS) 1995 1996 COMETS * Abbreviations * GMS Geostationary Meteorological Satellite VEP Vehicle Evaluation Payload OREX Orbit Reentry Experiment ADEOS Advanced Earth Observing Satellite COMETS Communication and Broadcasting Technology Satellite IML International Microgravity Laboratory FMPT First Material Processing Test ("Fuwatto '92") STS US Space Transportation System Source: Development and Launch Schedule, March 1991, issued by NASDA. * SAKIGAKE EARTH SWINGBY * The spacecraft SAKIGAKE (MS-T5), which was launched from the Kagoshima Space Center by ISAS on January 8 1985, and approached Halley's Comet within about 7 million km on March 11, 1986. The spacecraft is carrying three instru- ments to measure interplanetary magnetic field/plasma waves/solar wind, all of which work normally now, so ISAS made an Earth swingby by Sakigake on January 8, 1992 into an orbit similar to the earth's. The closest approach was at 23h08m47s (JST=UTC+9h) on January 8, 1992. The geocentric distance was 88,997 km. This is the first planet-swingby for a Japanese spacecraft. During the approach, Sakigake observed the geotail. Some geotail passages will be scheduled in some years hence. The second Earth-swingby will be on June 14, 1993 (at 40 Re (Earth's radius)), and the third October 28, 1994 (at 86 Re). SAKIGAKE First Earth Swingby Time of closest approach 23h08m47s 8 January 1992 (JST) Closest approach distance 88,997.2 km Velocity at closest approach 4.111 km/sec Lat. of closest approach point 7.0 deg S Long. of closest approach point 70.9 deg E SAKIGAKE Orbit before Swingby Perihelion 119,552,666 km (0.79916 AU) Aphelion 152,212,415 km (1.01748 AU) Period 316.2 days Orbit inclination 1.52 deg SAKIGAKE Orbit after Swingby Perihelion 137,093,260 km (0.91641 AU) Aphelion 172,682,004 km (1.15431 AU) Period 382.8 days Orbit Inclination 0.0668 deg Source: Information from the Office of External Relations, ISAS.
390.47	Japan-U.S. to discuss solar power sats (SPS)	MTWAIN::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Wed Jan 22 1992 17:49`	47
	From: DECPA::"0004244402@mcimail.com" "Karl Dishaw" 22-JAN-1992 05:54:28.95 To: space-tech <space-tech@cs.cmu.edu> Subj: Japanese SPS plans This was downloaded from America On Line's news section: TOKYO (JAN. 21) KYODO - The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) said Tuesday it has dispatched a mission of government and industry experts to the United States to study the feasibility of an international project for solar power generation in outer space. Officials of the semigovernmental trade promotion body said mission members will meet U.S. experts on solar power generation and satellite technologies to discuss cost, technical, and organizational problems in such a project. The mission comprises a dozen officials representing the government's Electrotechnical Laboratory and National Space Development Agency of Japan, Toshiba Corp., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Explanation of SPS deleted) Possible problems in the project include reducing the cost of launching solar cells, preventing environmental disruption that could be caused by microwave transmissions, and solving technical difficulties in receiving the transmissions, the officials said. [Hmm...aren't these the same folks who sent a probe to the Moon a couple of years ago? Somebody better grab them and say "lunar resources" real fast. - KD] Karl Dishaw % ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ====== % Received: by mts-gw.pa.dec.com; id AA26072; Wed, 22 Jan 92 02:53:22 -0800 % Received: from cs.cmu.edu by DAISY.LEARNING.CS.CMU.EDU id aa10922; 22 Jan 92 5:33:33 ES % Received: from mcimail.com by CS.CMU.EDU id aa21236; 22 Jan 92 5:28:06 EST % Received: from mcimail.com by MCIGATEWAY.MCIMail.com id ab04415; 22 Jan 92 5:08 ES % Date: Wed, 22 Jan 92 09:35 GMT % From: Karl Dishaw <0004244402@mcimail.com> % To: space-tech <space-tech@cs.cmu.edu> % Subject: Japanese SPS plans % Message-Id: <52920122093525/0004244402NA2EM@mcimail.com>
390.48	JERS-1; Updated launch list	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Wed Feb 05 1992 00:26`	182
	Article: 226 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: JERS-1 Press Kit (Forwarded) Date: 1 Feb 92 05:13:04 GMT Sender: usenet Organization: Yokohama Science Center >From JERS-1 Information for Press (Press Kit, February 1992 by NASDA): 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Foreword The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will launch the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) by H-I launch vehicle (H24F)* on February 3, 1992. This material provides an explanation of JERS-1 and its launch. (1) Launch program of H24F carrying the JERS-1, extending to second stage/satellite separation phase and its confirmation. (2) Satellite tracking and control program, including the launch phase in which the JERS-1 preparatory operations for tracking and control are carried out, as well as the initial phase consisting of injecting the satellite into sun-synchronous subcurrent orbit. In the launch and early orbit phase, the tracking and control network will be constructed by Fairbanks, Kourou, Kiruna and Perth Stations in cooperation with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration of the U.S.), CNES (Center National d'Etudes Spatiales=French National Space Research Center) and ESA (European Space Agency) in addition to the Okinawa, Masuda and Katsura Tracking and Data Acquisition Stations (TDAS) with the Tracking and Control Center (TACC) located at NASDA's Tsukuba Space Center. At each TACS, data on satellite's flight and functioning status are acquired. These data are all sent to the TACC for processing, and satellite control commands are sent to the satellite from the TACC via TDAS. While the orbit and satellite control is undertaken by the TACC, the operation management for the mission instruments is conducted by NASDA's Earth Observation Center (EOC). * Serial flight number from the first N-I launch vehicle at NASDA's Tanegashima Space Center. 1.2 Objectives The objectives of the mission are to launch the JERS-1 by H-I launch vehicle. JERS-1 is an advanced earth observation satellite carrying newly developed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical Sensors (OPS). In the sun-synchronous subrecurrent orbit, the satellite travels around the earth in approx. 96 minutes and makes 15 revolutions a day. It takes a different path in every revolution, but it comes back to the same position at the same time of the day every 44 days. Therefore, it can periodically observe the same point on the earth at the same time of the day. This means the satellite covers the global land area for rexploration primarily, and land survey, agriculture, forestry and fishery, environmental protection, disaster prevention and coastal monitoring. JERS-1 is a joint development program between the Science and Technology Agency (STA)/National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). STA/NASDA developed the satellite bus, while MITI undertakes mission instrument development. 1.3 Launch Date (1) Reserved Launch Period: February 3 (Mon.) - 29 (Sat.), 1992 (2) Launch Date and Time: Type of launch vehicle - H24F Planned launch date - February 3(Monday) Back-up launch period - February 4 (Tue.)- February 29 (Sat.) Daily Launch window - 10:45 (JST)- 11:15 (JST) for all the possible launch dates Vehicle splash down time-frame - SOBs: 0-6 min. after launch 1st stage and payload fairing: 12-21 min. after launch SOBs: Strap On Boosters 2.3 Satellite 2.3.1 Outline The purpose of the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) is to develop Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical Sensors (OPS) and to verify their functions and performances to establish an intergrated earth resources observation system. JERS-1 will conduct observations mainly in support of earth resources exploration, national land surveys, forestry and fishery activities, environmental control, disaster prevention, and coastal monitoring. The combination of SAR and OPS, and the Mission Data Recorder provide JERS-1 with unique global land observation capabilities. JERS-1 has been developed since 1986 as a joint project between NASDA in charge of satellite bus development and launching, and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) responsible for mission instrument development. It will be launched in February 1992 from the Tanegashima Space Center by H-1 launch vehicle (two stages), injected into a sun synchronous subrecurrent orbit at an altitude of 568 km and inclination angle of 98 deg, and undergo tracking and data acquisition. JERS-1 will enable establishment of common technologies for earth observation satellites and global observation systems with emphasis on land areas. 2.3.2 Mission JERS-1's mission is to accomplish the following objectives within two years after lift-off: (1) Conduct global observation by SAR and OPS (2) Establish an intergrated earth resoures observation system (3) Develop and verify functions and performance of the earth resources observation instruments (4) Develop and verify functions and performance of the earth resources satellite bus system 2.3.3 Overall configuration and major characteristics JERS-1, the largest satellite developed in Japan, has a synthetic aperture radar antenna (11.9 m x 2.4 m) and a solar array paddle (8.0 m x 3.4 m). Its dimensions on orbit are 11.9 m in the direction of the flight path and 11.4 m in the transverse direction as shown in Fig.5 (not reproduced here). JERS-1 is a three-axis stabilized satellite. The mission instrument such as OPS and the antennas always face the Earth. The solar array paddle tracks the Sun and generates the required electric power. The satellite's configuration at lift-off is shown in Fig.6 (not reproduced here). The satellite's main body is a slender rectangular solid (3.1 m x 0.9 m x 1.8 m). The SAR antenna and the solar array paddle are folded in for housing in the satellite fairing. Article: 212 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: ISAS Launch Schedule [Corrected] (Forwarded) Date: 31 Jan 92 21:17:03 GMT Sender: usenet Organization: Yokohama Science Center Schedule for launching after 1992: Each fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends next March 31 in Japan. * The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) * 1992 (1993 January/February in calendar) ASTRO-D(Astronomy Satellite-D) conducting precise observations of the X-ray images and X-ray spectra of various heavenly bodies. 1992 (1992 July 14) GEOTAIL(Geophysical Tail) the Geomagnetic Tail Observation Satellite for engaging in observations of the structure and dynamics by the solar wind and extending from the night side of the earth. This spacecraft is to be launched by the United States. GEOTAIL is a collaborative program with NASA and of USA. 1993 SFU(Space Flyer Unit) conducting space experiments and observations and this can be recovered after it conducts the various scientific and engineering experiments. SFU is to be launched/retrieved by the U.S. Space Shuttle. 1994 MUSES-B(Mu Space Engineering Satellite-B) conducting research on the precise mechanism of space structure and in-space astronomical observations of electromagnetic waves. 1995 LUNAR-A elucidating the crust structure and thermal construction of the moon's interior. Sources: Fax message on the launch schedule, Office of External Relations, ISAS. Science and Technology in Japan, October issue 1991.
390.49	RE 390.48	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Tue Feb 11 1992 22:27`	76
	From: DECWRL::"usenet-space-news-request@ames.arc.nasa.gov" 10-FEB-1992 17:44:02.02 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov Subj: JERS-1 [Update] * JERS-1 * The launch of the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) by H-I launch vehicle was postponed to February 11 (01:50 UTC) owing to unusual data found in the navigation system just before the planned Feb. 3 launch. >From JERS-1 Information for Press (Press Kit), February 1992, by NASDA: JERS-1 Orbit Altitude 568 km Inclination 98 deg Recurrent period 44 days Configuration Box Shape with a solar array paddle and a SAR antenna Main body 3.1 m x 0.9 m x 1.8 m Solar array paddle 8.0 m x 3.4 m SAR antenna 11.9 m x 2.4 m Weight 1,340 kg (at lift-off) Attitude Control Three-axis control (zero-momentum type) Mission Instruments Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Wavelength: L-band (1.275 GHz) Transmission power: 1.3 kw Off-nadir angle: 35 deg Observation width: 75 km Resolution on the ground: 18 m (at 3 looks) Data rate: 60 Mbps Optical Sensors (OPS) Wavelength: 0.52 to 0.66 micro meter 0.63 to 0.69 0.76 to 0.86 0.76 to 0.86 (looking forwards) 1.60 to 1.71 2.01 to 2.12 2.13 to 2.25 2.77 to 2.40 Observation width: 75 km Resolution on the ground: 18m Data rate: 60 Mbps Mission Data Frequency: 8.15 and 8.35 GHz Transmitter(MDT) Modulation: QPSK Transmission power: 20 W x 2 frequencies Data rate: 60 Mbps Mission Data Recording capacity: 20 minutes Recorder(MDR) Service life: 2,000 hours Data rate: 60 Mbps ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.50	RE 390.49	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Wed Feb 12 1992 19:39`	14
	From: DECWRL::"usenet-space-news-request@ames.arc.nasa.gov" 12-FEB-1992 15:29:44.74 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov Subj: JERS-1 Launched * JERS-1 * JERS-1 was successfully launched at 01:50:00 UTC on February 11 from Tanegashima Space Center. (fax message from NASDA) Yoshiro yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp Yokohama Science Center
390.51	JERS-1 Updates - February 11-12	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Sun Feb 16 1992 17:04`	93
	Article: 327 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: JERS-1 Update for 02/15/92 (Forwarded) Date: 15 Feb 92 06:24:38 GMT Sender: usenet Organization: Yokohama Science Center * JERS-1 * From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 1 JERS-1/H-I LAUNCH VEHICLE FLIGHT No. 9 LAUNCHED (February 11, 1992) The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) launched the H-I launch vehicle flight No. 9 with the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) onboard from its Tanegashima Space Center at 10:50:00 on Tuesday, February 11, 1992 (Japan Standard time=JST=UTC+9h) at the launch azimuth of 122 degrees. The first and second stages of the vehicle functioned normally with the guidance control correctly performing. In addition, separation of the satellite from the second stage was executed as planned 50 min. 53 sec. after the lift-off. The local weather information at the launch time are as follows: Weather : Cloudy Surface Wind : 7.3 m/sec. (NE) Atmospheric Temperature : 12.2 deg. C. JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 2 JERS-1 "FUYO-1"/H-I LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT (February 11, 1992) The first radio signal from the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1/ FUYO-1) was respectively received at Kourou, Matsuda and Okinawa Tracking & Data Acquisition Stations after the first orbit revolution. With the above confirmation of the signal reception, it is assumed that the satellite has been injected into the planned orbit. The JERS-1 has been denominated "FUYO-1" as its popular name. "FUYO" is a Rose Mallow in English. Also, it has been confirmed that the solar paddle deployment had normally been conducted, and the satellite"s status has been in good condition. JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 3 CALCULATION RESULTS OF JERS-1 "FUYO-1"-INJECTION ORBIT (February 11, 1992) The following is the orbital calculation results of JERS-1/FUYO-1. Apogee Altitude : 579.9 km Perigee Altitude: 558.0 km Inclination : 97.7 deg. Period : 96.0 min. As a result, it is confirmed that the satellite has been injected into the planned orbit, and the satellite has been in good condition. JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 4 STATUS REPORT ON JERS-1 "FUYO-1" (February 12, 1992) It has been confirmed that the solar array paddle of JERS-1/FUYO-1 had been deployed as expected. Also, the satellite has been generating electric power, and its attitude, etc. are in good condition. Although a radio signal commanding the antenna deployment had been sent from the Katsuura Tracking and Data Acquisition Station (TDAS) around 21:38, February 11 (JST) when the satellite was at the 7th orbit revolution, the telemetry signal indicating the first (90-degree) deployment of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna among the three-step deployment was not confirmed. As a result, the cause of the above phenomenon is presently under investigation. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.52	HITEN and FUYO-1 Updates	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Feb 24 1992 21:12`	59
	Article: 373 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: HITEN and FUYO-1 Date: 24 Feb 92 18:52:44 GMT Sender: usenet Organization: Yokohama Science Center * Hiten * Hiten (MUSES-A) made a close approach to the Moon at 22:33 JST (UTC+9h) on February 15 at the height of 423 km from the Moon's surface (35.3N, 9.7E) and fired its propulsion system for about ten minutes to put the craft into lunar orbit. The following is the orbital calculation results after the approach: Apoapsis Altitude: about 49,400 km Periapsis Altitude: about 9,600 km Inclination : 34.7 deg (to ecliptic plane) Period : 4.7 days (Source: February 17, 1992, Announcement by ISAS/Office of External Relations) * JERS-1 "FUYO-1" * From Press Release "JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 5, February 19, 1992 Except the SAR antenna deployment, it has been confirmed that the satellite had been in good condition through investigation made on the condition at the time of the satellite orbit injection, its attitude, temperature, electric power, etc. Also, NASDA decided to take sufficient time to investigate the cause of the non-conformity and to a solution. Consequently, a series of trouble-shooting was once discontinued at that time. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and NASDA will establish a countermeasure committee to continue a series of investigation and to coordinate the most suitable solution. MITI will find the cause of the trouble and consider the countermeasures based on the observation system's design, manufacture and tests conducted in the past, by establishing a JERS-1 observation system trouble countermeasure-tracking team. NASDA will cooperate with MITI to conduct investigation and to take countermeasures. In addition, it will consider the satellite system and conduct necessary satellite operations. Moreover, functional verification tests of the satellite bus equipments and the other mission equipments other than SAR will be carried out as a part of NASDA's tracking and control activities. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.53	First image of Earth from JERS-1	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Mar 16 1992 20:41`	52
	Article: 520 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: JERS-1's First Image Date: 15 Mar 92 18:17:39 GMT Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 6 March 13, 1992 MITI NASDA JERS-1 ("FUYO-1")'S FIRST IMAGE ACQUIRED THROUGH OPS ---------------------------------------------------- The Earth Observation Center (EOC) of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) received an image taken by the optical sensors onboard the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1 whose nickname is "Fuyo-1"), for the first time, on March 12, 1992. The above images was taken as a part of the OPS functional verification test. The image was taken around 10:20, March 12, 1992 (JST=UTC=9h), when the JERS-1 was passing over the Sea of Okhotsk at an altitude 568 km. The ice drifted were seen in the area observed 75 km x 75 km. The resolution was 18.3 m (cross track direction) x 24.2 m (direction of forwarding). The center point of the attached Image-1 was expanded for five times, and that is indicated in the Image-2 attached. It's scale is 14 km x 14 km. NASDA is going to conduct the integrated OPS verification tests including on-ground tests from now onward. On the other hand, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and NASDA have been collecting the related-data necessary for finding out the cause of SAR antenna-development problem while carrying out the above OPS activities. JERS-1 is a joint project between MITI and NASDA, and launched by H-I launch vehicle on February 11, 1992. End. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.54	U.S. and Japan to develop environmental sat system	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Apr 13 1992 20:32`	109
	Article: 696 From: clarinews@clarinet.com Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.tw.environment,clari.tw.telecom Subject: Forum agrees to develop global environmental satellite Date: 12 Apr 92 01:22:55 GMT KYOTO, Japan (UPI) -- American and Japanese political and business leaders agreed Saturday to develop a global satellite system to preserve the environment and help prevent natural disasters. Participants at a bilateral conference outlined plans to work with the governments of both countries to promote research and development of the satellite. Preservation of the global environment and support for the former Soviet Union were discussed at the opening session of the Japan-U.S. Leadership Council, a forum for discussion of global issues. In the keynote speech, former Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu urged Japan and the United States to extend financial support for developing countries and the former Soviet republics. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci expressed concern over the possible flow of nuclear technology out of the former Soviet Union. Carlucci, defense secretary from 1987 to 1989, called on the United States and Japan to provide all-out support for moves toward democracy in the former Soviet states. U.S. representatives at the conference urged strong leadership from Japan to deal with trade and economic issues. James Jones, chairman and chief executive officer of the American Stock Exchange, said Japan and France are hindering progress in the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT Director General Arthur Dunkel has proposed all import bans and quotas be replaced with tariffs that could be reduced gradually, but Tokyo has rejected that plan. The administration of Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa refuses to open Japan's long closed rice market to foreign imports. Article: 700 From: clarinews@clarinet.com Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.economy Subject: Gorbachev says Japanese support is vital Date: 13 Apr 92 04:19:37 GMT TOKYO (UPI) -- Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev said Monday support from Japan and other Western countries is vital to the success of reforms underway in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Gorbachev told Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa there is a national consensus on introducing a market economy, but debate centers on how to proceed, a Foreign Ministry official said. In the 40-minute meeting, the former Soviet president cited the tax system, assistance for low-income citizens and treatment of manufacturers as areas requiring urgent attention. Gorbachev arrived Saturday in Tokyo with his wife, Raisa, for a 12- day visit to Japan at the invitation of a non-governmental committee headed by former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. It is his first visit to Japan since a state visit last April, when he became the first Soviet leader to set foot in Japan. Gorbachev told Miyazawa that despite domestic turmoil in Russia, President Boris Yeltsin is determined to improve bilateral relations with Japan. ``I expect the president's visit will provide an opportunity to introduce a new phase in bilateral relations,'' Gorbachev was quoted as saying. ``It is important that Western countries including Japan support the reforms in the CIS,'' he stressed. Yeltsin is scheduled to visit in September, and the Japanese have steadfastly maintained Russian recognition of Japanese sovereignity over four islands is the key to making the trip a success. Japan has refused to sign a peace treaty ending World War II pending clear progress toward the return of the islands seized by Soviet troops in 1945 and has maintained settlement of the bitter territorial dispute is necessary before Japan offer full-scale economic assistance to Russia. Gorbachev's visit last year was dominated by Tokyo's demands that the four northern islands off Hokkaido be returned. While the official said Gorbachev and Miyazawa did not specifically discuss the islands, Gorbachev told Miyazawa Russia's internal problems are a matter of international concern because of their impact on world stability. Gorbachev also met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Akasaska Palace. During the weekend, the Gorbachevs visited Sensoji temple, where they watched a game of ``tosenkyo,'' which dates back to the 18th century. Players take turns throwing a fan in an attempt to knock over an object on a stand. Encouraged by onlookers, Gorbachev tried his hand at the game but only one of his five throws grazed the target.
390.55	SAR on JERS-1 successfully unfurled	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Apr 13 1992 21:06`	83
	Article: 732 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: JERS-1/FUYO-1 UPDATE Date: 11 Apr 92 09:43:56 GMT Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 7 ----------------------------------- April 6, 1992 (10:00) NASDA HQ., Tokyo Japan It has been confirmed that the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna of the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1/FUYO-1) had been deployed for 90 degrees through the analysis made at the NASDA Tsukuba Space Center's Tracking and Control Center on the telemetry signal received at 04:26, April 4, 1992, at NASDA's Transportable Tracking Telemetry and Command (TT&C) Station located within the Swidish Space Cerportation (SSC)'s Esrange, Kiruna, Sweden. Upon receiving the signal, attitude and temperature data were also analyzed at the above Tracking and Control Center in detail from April 4 through 5. As a result, it was verified that the above judgment was correct. The period of conducting the antenna's both wings' extention and its off-nadir inclination will be decided after the detailed examination to be carried out from now onward. End. JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 8 ----------------------------------- April 6, 1992 (16:30) It has been decided by NASDA that the following actions will shortly be taken: 1. A command will be sent around 09:30 on April 8, 1992, in order to to extend both the wings of the SAR antenna. 2. A command of off-nadia inclination will be sent around 09:30 on April 9, 1992, after the extention of the above wings will have been confirmed. End. JERS-1/H-I Launch Information No. 9 ----------------------------------- SAR Antenna's Wings onboard JERS-1 (FUYO-1) Successfully Extended ----------------------------------------------------------------- April 8, 1992 (10:20) It has been confirmed that the extention of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna's both wings onboard the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1/FUYO-1) had been completed at 09:50 on April 8, 1992 (JST=UTC+9h) and the satellite was in good condition. A command to extend the SAR antenna's wings had been sent at 09:50 this morning right before the wings' extention was confirmed from NASDA's Katsuura Tracking and Data Aquisition Station (KTDS) located in Chiba Prefecture. A command of off-nadia inclination in order to install the antenna at the observable angle will be sent around 10:00 on April 9, 1992 (JST), since the wing extention was confirmed. JERS-1 is a joint project between NASDA and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of Japan, and launched by the H-I launch vehicle on February 11, 1992, from NASDA's Tanegashima Space Center. End. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.56	Images received from SAR on JERS-1	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Apr 27 1992 14:39`	63
	Article: 854 Newsgroups: sci.space.news From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Subject: JERS-1 Update Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1992 08:29:00 GMT >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: JERS-1 Information No. 11 JERS-1 ("FUYO-1") FIRST SAR IMAGE ACQUIRED ------------------------------------------ April 24, 1992 (15:00) MITI/NASDA HQ., Tokyo Japan The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)'s Earth Observation Center (EOS), for the first time, succeeded in obtaining some images taken by the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) onboard the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1 whose nickname is FUYO-1) both on April 21 and 23, 1992 (JST=UT+9h), as a part of the satellite's initial functional verification test presently conducted. The following images were taken when the SAR was at the altitude approx. 568 km. The observed scale was 75 km x 75 km, and the resolution was 18 m x 18 m. NASDA will shortly carry out the integrated operational tests, etc. of the SAR and optical sensors (OPS). <Image 1> Observation Date & Time: 10:16, April 21, 1992 Place Observed : Sapporo Area, Hokkaido, Japan Characteristics : Ishikari Bay, Ishikari Plain, downtown of Sapporo, Lake Shikotsu were observed, and downtown, farms, mountains, roads, bridges, etc. are recognizable. <Image 2> Observation Date & Time: 10:16, April 21, 1992 Place Observed : Shimokita peninsula area Characteristics : Sekinehama, the home port of Japan's nuclear powered ship called Mutsu, located in the middle of Shimokita Peninsula, the northern- most part of Japan's Honshu Island was observed. <Image 3> Observations Date & Time: 10:22, April 23, 1992 Place Observed : Mount Fuji area Characteristics : 5 Lakes of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashino, downtown of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture etc. were observed in Mt. Fuji area and Izu Peninsula. End. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.57	NASDA to pick Mission Specialist for FREEDOM	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Mon Apr 27 1992 14:41`	141
	Article: 853 Newsgroups: sci.space.news From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Subject: Japanese Mission Specialist Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1992 08:27:55 GMT >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE April 23, 1992 NASDA HQ Tokyo Japan JAPANESE MISSION SPECIALIST ASTRONAUT-CANDIDATE(S) TO BE ANNOUNCED ------------------------------------------------------------------ The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) is going to announce the name(s) of the Japanese Mission Specialist (MS) astronaut-candidate(s) around 11:30 on April 28, 1992 (JST=UT+9h), soon after it(they) will have been decided at the astronaut screening committee to be held here in NASDA in the morning of April 28. As s result, a press conference will be held by NASDA in order to introduce the selected MS(s) according to the schedule below: Date & Time: April 28, 1992 (Tuesday) Place: First & Second Conference Rooms Science and Technology Agency 2F, 2-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Tel: 03-3581-5271 Contents: (1) Introduction of the announced MS candidate(s) selected (2) Questions & Answers Principle: (1) Questions will be made by the representative of the Science and Technology Press Club at the press conference for the first 10 minutes. Then, you will be allowed be to raise question (2) Preparation, such as installing camera, etc. is permitted from 11:00 at the above conference rooms on April 28, 1992. (3) MS candidate(s) is(are) expected to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr. Tanigawa, at 14:15 on April 28. History of Japanese MS Candidate screening ------------------------------------------ The Space Station named "Freedom" is a permanent evolutional and multipurpose manned facility to be constructed in a low Earth orbit (approx. 400 km) using the Space Shuttle. This program was proposed by the U.S., and Japan has been participating in it with the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) under development as well as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It is expected that the on-orbit facility assembly and the launch of JEM will be started around 1995 and 1998 respectively, and the infrastructure-building required to support the Station will be completed around 2000 in order to start its operation. NASDA recruited Japanese MS astronaut candidate(s) from July 1 through August 31, 1991, in order to select a few among from all the applicants. As a result, 372 persons applied for the position(s). The following is the screening history: (1) 247 selected among form 372 as a result of submitted document-check in September 1991. (2) 53 chosen among from 247 as a result of the first screening (written examination of language(English)) in October, 1991. (3) 6 selected among from 53 as a result of the second screening (physical examination, interview, etc.) in January, 1992. The third (=final) screening was held in March 1992, and it included the physiological aptitude test in NASDA's Tsukuba Space Center and physical examination in NASA's Johnson Space Center. As mentioned, NASDA is going to announce the Japanese MS candidate(s) on this coming April 28, 1992., after through the final integrated evaluation including interviews. The MS candidate(s) to be selected this time will join the MS training course expected for August 1992. The traing for obtaining basic knowledge and technique to be a MS will last for a year. In case the candidate(s) is(are) authorized as MS(s) after a year of training, he/she/they will be training on the operation of the Space Shuttle, etc. It is assumed that it will usually and approximately take 4 to 5 years until he/she/they will be onboard the Shuttle; however, completing the above MS training courses does not mean that he/she/they can automatically be onboard the Shuttle. The candidate(s) will continuously be training in the future on the assembly and operation of the Station as astronaut(s) to stay and work there even if he/she/they will not have experienced to be onboard the Shuttle in advance. LIST OF THE ASTRONAUT CANDIDATE NUMBER AT DIFFERENT SCREENING STAGES & CATEGORIES Stages Applicants Record-Report First Screening Second Screening Passers Passers Passers Total 372 247 53 6 Male 331(89%) 223(90%) 50(94%) 6 Female 41(11%) 24(10%) 3( 6%) - Age <20 2( 1%) - - - 20-24 25( 7%) - - - 25-29 199(53%) 142(57%) 24(45%) 4 30-35 140(38%) 105(43%) 29(55%) 2 36-39 4( 1%) - - - >40 2( 1%) - - - Private company employees 225(60%) 167(68%) 34(64%) 5 Civil servants 48(13%) 30(12%) 4( 8%) - Independent businessmen 6( 2%) 2( 1%) - - Students 48(13%) 20( 8%) 6(11%) 1 Others 45(11%) 28(11%) 9(17%) - ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.58	Japanese Mission Specialist for FREEDOM chosen	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Fri May 01 1992 21:57`	63
	Article: 864 Newsgroups: sci.space.news From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Subject: Japanese MS Candidate Selected Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1992 19:11:47 GMT >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: April 28, 1992 NASDA HQ Tokyo Japan JAPANESE MISSION SPECIALIST ASTRONAUT-CANDIDATE SELECTED -------------------------------------------------------- The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) selected the following Japanese Mission Specialist (MS) astronaut-candidate at the astronaut selection committee held in NASDA in the morning of April 28, 1992 (JST=UT+9h): Mr. Koichi WAKATA Airframe Group System Engineering Office of Engineering Dept. Japan Airlines Mr. Wakata is a 28-year old engineer who has been working for the Japan Airlines for the last three years after given a master of science degree in Applied Mechanics from Kyushu University in 1989. Mr. Wakata is going to attend the press conference to be held by NASDA this afternoon in the Science and Technology Agency (STA), Tokyo. BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ----------------- 1. NAME: Koichi Wakata Mission Specialist Candidate 2. BIRTH PLACE AND DATE: Born August 1, 1963, in Omiya, Saitama. 3. CURRENT OCCUPATION: Wakata is an engineer of aircraft structure at Airframe Group, System Engineering Office of Enginnering Department, Japan Airlines. 4. EDUCATION: He received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Kyushu University in 1987, and a master of science degree in Applied Mechanics from Kyushu University in 1989. 5. EXPERIENCE: After 3-month-training of aircraft maintenance at Maintenance Training Dept. of Japan Airlines, Wakata worked in Base Maintenance Dept., Narita Maintenance Center of Japan Airlines for 2 years until June 1991. At present he works at Airframe Group, System Engineering Office of Engineering Dept. 6. MARITAL STATUS: Single. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.59	Japan to Mars in 1996?	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Tue May 05 1992 13:24`	8
	In the Sunday, May 3 edition of PARADE magazine there was a very brief article on Japan's plans to launch a Mars probe in 1996 which would orbit the Red Planet in October of 1997. There were no further details or pictures. Does anyone have more information on this probe? Thanks. Larry
390.60	Report on IML-1 experimental results (STS-42)	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Wed Jun 03 1992 19:46`	142
	Article: 1089 From: yamada@ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: NASDA IML-1 REPORT Date: 26 May 92 18:37:39 GMT Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: May 22, 1992 NASDA HQ Tokyo Japan INTERIM REPORT ON IML-1 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS -------------------------------------------- I. Outline This is to announce the interim results made on the two experiments proposed by Japan and conducted in a Space Shuttle/Spacelab mission of NASA called the International Microgravity Laboratory-1 (IML-1, STS-42). The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been participating in NASA's IML-1 mission with some European countries, Canada, etc. NASA launched the Space Shuttle Discovery with IML-1 onboard from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 09:53, January 22, 1992 (EST), (23:53, January 22, 1992, JST). The 42 experimental themes, proposed by 11 countries including the U.S., Japan, Canada and some European nations, were conducted for about 8 days under micro- gravity environment using 16 experimental equipments developed by NASA, NASDA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the French National Center for Space Studies (CNES), the German Space Agency (DLA). The two experimental equipments called the OCGP (Organic Crystal Growth facility with g-jitter Preventive measurement) and RMCD (Radiation Monitoring Container Device) provided ny NASDA were loaded on the Spacelab. The experimental themes are listed below: 1. Crystal Growth of Organic Superconductors in Microgravity Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Akio Kanbayashi (NASDA) 2. High Energy Cosmic Radiation Monitoring and Analysis of Biological Specimens PI: Dr. Shunji Nagaoka (NASDA) II. Experiments and Results 1. Crystal Growth of Organic Superconductors in Microgravity The purposes of the experiment were to grow large and high quality single crystals of the organic superconductor under microgravity environment and to acquire organic crystal growing technique. The crystal growth experiment was carried out for about a week with a liquid diffusion method under microgravity within the Spacelab, and the crystal of organic superconductor was successfully grown there. As a result, the structure and function of the above experimental equipment under microgavity were verified. Also, it has been confirmed that a time period required for crystal growth under microgravity could be shorten because it took only a week to grow crystal of organic superconductors under micro- gravity while it took three months to grow them with the same size on earth. That is due to the fact that there is no thermal fluctuation caused by convection or relative density difference within the microgavity environment. Therefore, it was possible to shorten the time required to grow crystals under microgravity compared with the earth environment by shortening the distance between both the chambers of starting solutions among the three chambers of the two cells where the crystals were grown and by using much concentrated starting solutions. It is also true that the high quality crystals of organic superconductors were grown under microgravity. In addition to the needle-type crystal stuck each other made on Earth, the ones grown under microgravity consisted of metal-lustered type and flatboard types. A lump of crystals as the above is considered extremely effective for finding out the characteristics of organic superconductors and for analyzing the two- dimensional superconducting mechanism and so on. The crystals were grown in two cells with three chambers each. One cell had a vibration damper while the other did not. The crystals grown in the cell with damping were mostly bigger than the ones grown in another cell without a vibration damper. Therefore, effects of damping were perceptible through the experiment. To investigate the influence of mivrogavity upon crystal growth, NASDA is going to analyze the structure of the crystals grown under microgravity and the characteristics of the superconductors in order to compare their quality and characteristics with that of the crystals grown on Earth. 2. High Energy Cosmic Radiation Monitoring & Analysis of Biological Specimens The objectives of the experiment are to investigate the biological effect of cosmic radiation under a spaceflight environment and to contribute to the development of radiation protection technology for manned spacecraft. Moreover, the biological specimens used on the experiment, such as animal eggs, plant seeds and bacterial spores, are presently being analyzed by NASDA. The radiation monitoring experiment was conducted for about eight days, and the radiation level reached inside the spacelab was actually and success- fully measured. Bacterial spores, maize (corn) seeds and shrimp eggs, which were attached to the plastic track detectors and were loaded in the Radiation Monitoring Container Device, were subjected to the cosmic irradiation in the Spacelab. The expected amount of high energy cosmic radiation (HZE) was detected using the plastic radiation detector (TS-16) developed by NASDA. Also, the particle (corpuscular) beams having lower energies, which could not be measured with the formerly used detectors, were successfully measured using the above detector. Therefore, the function and characteristics of this device (RMCD) developed by NASDA has been verified. The radiation environment inside the Spacelab was measured. The Picture 4 shows a typical etch pit of the track of high energy particles (corpuscles) observed on the surface of the plastic radiation detector used in the Spacelab. Those particles turned out to have a linear energy transfer (LET) of approx. 1.5 GeV. cm2/g, entering into the surface of the above detector at an angle of 39 degrees to it and then penetrated the monitoring container obliquely. Through the analysis of the etch pit recorded in the solid detector, several thousands of the high energy heavy particles (corpuscles) were found as expected (they amounted more than 20,000 particles including the relatively low energy nuclear species). The three-dimensional trajectories of incident cosmic particles in the monitoring container will be reconstructed by NASDA from now on based on the etch pit analysis data obtained. Also, the hatchability of shrimp eggs, the survival rate of bacterial spores around the etch pits, and the germi- nation rate of the maize (corn) seeds will be analyzed and investigated by NASDA to find out the effects of cosmic radiation upon these biological specimens during spaceflight. End. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.61	Report on H-II rocket	VERGA::KLAES	Slaves to the Metal Hordes	`Tue Jul 14 1992 19:13`	103
	Article: 45929 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: From NASDA PRESS RELEASE Date: 11 Jul 92 02:25:03 GMT Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, JAPAN From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: July 8, 1992 NASDA HQ, TOKYO DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE OF H-II LAUNCH VEHICLE ------------------------------------------- The National Space Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been developed the H-II launch vehicle as the new Japan's main Space transportation system. NASDA has investigated the cause of trouble on the H-II 1st stage LE-7 engine which occurred on June 18, 1992 at the NASDA's Tanegashima Space Center. As the result of discussion, NASDA decided to change the H-II flight schedule. The 1st flight was shifted from early 1993 to early 1994. The 2nd flight was changed from summer of 1993 to summer of 1994 and for the third flight in early 1995 from early 1994. Development Plan of LE-7 Engine and H-II Launch Vehicle 1. Overview NASDA has conducted the LE-7 engine firing tests over 200 times so far and excellent results for the performance were obtained and good data for durability was taken by achieving consecutively two full duration firing tests with the same engine. But, design change is required to take countermeasures of the trouble happened on June 18, 1992. As the result, it is needed to reschedule the LE-7 engine development plan. 2. Current of trouble and its countermeasure The engine performance including the specific impulse and engine start/ stop sequence were established. Full duration firing tests are required to confirm the engine durability. 3. Cause of trouble and its countermeasure (1) Trouble Fire was seen out side of the engine at 5 seconds after ignition on June 18. It is assumed that starting point of destruction is at the welding part connected the main injector's elbow and liquid hydrogen turbopump. (2) Cause of trouble It is assumed that heat vibration over design value repeatedly damaged the welding part and, cracks and breakages were occurred. (3) Countermeasure The following is under discussion as the main countermeasure. i) Set of heat shield to protect the direct heat load into the welding part. ii) Flatting of the welding part to protect the heat load into the limited part. iii) Change of heat treatment to improve the strength of the welding part. Similar welding part on the engine will also be checked. 3. H-II Launch Vehicle Development Plan The new H-II launch schedule is currently under discussion. Tentative launch schedule is attached and further discussion will be done in detail. H-II Launch Vehicle Launch Schedule <Current Schedule> 1993 Jan.-Feb. VEP/OREX 1993 Aug.-Sept. ETS-VI 1994 Jan.-Feb. SFU/GMS-5 <New Schedule> 1994 Jan.-Feb. VEP/OREX 1994 Aug.-Sept. ETS-VI 1995 Jan.-Feb. SFU/GMS-5 VEP: Vehicle Evaluation Payload OREX: Orbital Reentry Experiment ETS-VI: Enginnering Test Satellite-VI SFU: Space Flyer Unit GMS-5: Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-5 -- ---------------------------------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp
390.62	GEOTAIL - magnetotail explorer	VERGA::KLAES	Slaves to the Metal Hordes	`Wed Jul 22 1992 14:46`	85
	Article: 46317 From: yamada@yscvax.ysc.go.jp (Yoshiro Yamada) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: GEOTAIL MISSION Date: 22 Jul 92 06:45:06 GMT Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, JAPAN * GEOTAIL * The GEOTAIL spacecraft is Japan's largest scientific satellite to date. The purpose of the GEOTAIL mission is to study the mechanism of input, transport, storage, release and conversion of energy in the magnetotail of Earth. Part of the energy released produces very beautiful emission of light known as Aurora seen in the Antarctica and Arctic. The GEOTAIL spacecraft carries on board the following scientific instruments on board: Electric field detector, Magnetic field detector, Low energy plasma analyzer and ion mass spectrometer, Hot plasma analyzer and ion composition analyzer (from U.S.), High energetic particle detector, Energetic particles and ion composition spectrometer (from U.S.), and Plasma wave analyzer. The GEOTAIL spacecraft is a spin stabilized spacecraft utilizing a despun antennas system. The diameter of the spacecraft is approximately 2.2 meters with a height of 1.6 meters. The weight of the spacecraft is approximately 1,000 kg including 332 kg of hydrazine fuel. The design life is three years. The GEOTAIL will be launched from KSC by making use of Delta-II rocket into a 185 km circular parking orbit with an inclination of 28.7 degrees. The upper stage will be ignited to boost GEOTAIL into a translunar orbit. It is a unique point that the GEOTAIL changes its orbit by using the swingby and maneuver technique. Following are description of the phases of the GEOTAIL mission. (1) Translunar Phase (until L+50 days) Translunar phase is defined until the first lunar swingby, which takes place on September 8-th, 1992. (2) Distant Tail Phase (L+50 days to 1.78 years) The GEOTAIL spacecraft will be first injected onto distant tail orbit so that the orbital apsis should be aligned toward midnight side of Earth. The orbital plane is almost same as that of the Moon. (3) Trans-near-tail Phase (L+ 1.78 years to 1.85 years) This is corresponding to the period from the last swingby to the injection into near tail orbit. During this, two large amount of corrective maneuvers are carried out. One of them is the orbital plane change maneuver and the other is for the reduction of the apogee. The insertion into Near Tail Phase is scheduled in May, 1994. (4) Near Tail Phase (L+ 1.85 years to L+ 3.3 years) The second half of the scientific observation will be performed in the near tail phase, whose orbit is scheduled as 8 X 30 Re ellipse inclined 7.5 deg. to the ecliptic plane. The apogee is directed to antisunward at the June solstice. This phase will last at least one and half years. * All information is provided by the Office of External Relations; The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science 3-1-1, Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229, Japan -- ---------------------------------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp
390.63	GEOTAIL launch today plus information	VERGA::KLAES	Slaves to the Metal Hordes	`Fri Jul 24 1992 17:54`	96
	From: DECWRL::"usenet-space-news-request@ames.arc.nasa.gov" 23-JUL-1992 18:49:27.25 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: NASA Daily News for 07/22/92 (Forwarded) Daily News Wednesday, July 22, 1992 24-hour audio service at 202/755-1788 % Geotail preparations near completion, launch set for 10:26 am EDT, Friday; % Geotail Delta II launcher to inaugurate new feature P secondary payload; Activities associated with the launch of the Geotail spacecraft are nearing completion in preparation for Friday's launch at 10:26 am EDT aboard a Delta II rocket from Launch Pad 17-A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Tomorrow, at 1:00 pm EDT, NASA and Japanese Space Agency project managers and scientists will hold a pre-launch briefing on the mission at the Kenendy Space Center. The briefing, as well as the launch itself, will be carried live on NASA Select television. The window for the July 24, Friday, launch lasts only 5 minutes. Geotail will be placed into a highly elliptical orbit of 32,000 by 871,000 miles. This spacecraft is the first of what will be a series of five satellites designed to explore the dynamic relationship between the Sun's solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field and various magnetosphere components, including the Van Allen belts and the mission namesake P Earth's geomagnetic tail. The spacecraft is expected to last four years and is equipped with seven instruments that will be performing measurements on the various magnetic field and particle components. In addition to its principal payload, the Delta II second stage will carry a secondary scientific instrument, the Diffuse Ultraviolet Experiment, which will measure the diffuse glow from the interstellar medium and thereby help our understanding of the evolution of this interstellar matter. This experiment receives power from the Delta II second stage battery and will be turned on only after the Geotail spacecraft has separated from the second stage. From: DECWRL::"usenet-space-news-request@ames.arc.nasa.gov" 23-JUL-1992 20:42:28.46 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: NASA Daily News for 07/23/92 (Forwarded) Daily News Thursday, July 23, 1992 24-hour audio service at 202/755-1788 % Geotail preparations complete, launch set for 10:26 am EDT tomorrow; % Mission is U.S. - Japan venture, and first of 5 planned Earth-Sun investigations; % Delta II will inaugurate new service, secondary payload mounted on 2nd stage; Preparations for tomorrow's launch of the Geotail spacecraft aboard a Delta II have been completed. The launch is set for 10:26 am EDT, Friday, July 24, from Launch Pad 17-A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Today, at 1:00 pm EDT, NASA and Japanese Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science project managers and scientists will hold a pre-launch briefing on the mission at the Kennedy Space Center. The briefing, as well as the launch itself, will be carried live on NASA Select television. The window for the July 24, Friday, launch lasts only 5 minutes. Geotail will be placed into a highly elliptical orbit of 32,000 by 871,000 miles for its first two-and-a-half years and then into closer orbit. This will allow the instruments to investigate both far and near magnetic tail composition and activity. This spacecraft is the first of what will be a series of five satellites designed to explore the dynamic relationship between the Sun's solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field and various magnetosphere components, including the Van Allen belts and Earth's geomagnetic tail. The investigations will be performed by American and Japanese investigators. Data from the spacecraft will be received by the Deep Space Network stations and then transmitted to the Goddard Space Flight Center. The investigators will be able to access data directly from the Goddard data facility while they remain at their home institutions. The spacecraft is expected to last four years and is equipped with seven instruments that will be performing measurements on the various magnetic field and particle components. In addition to its principal payload, the Delta II second stage will carry a secondary scientific instrument, the Diffuse Ultraviolet Experiment, which will measure the diffuse glow from the interstellar medium and thereby help our understanding of the evolution of this interstellar matter. This experiment receives power from the Delta II second stage battery and will be turned on only after the Geotail spacecraft has separated from the second stage. This report is filed daily at noon, Monday through Friday. It is a service of NASA's Office of Public Affairs. The editor is Charles Redmond, 202/453-8425 or CREDMOND on NASAmail. NASA Select TV is carried on GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13, C-Band, 72 degrees West Longitude, transponder frequency is 3960 MegaHertz, audio subcarrier is 6.8 MHz, polarization is vertical.
390.64	GEOTAIL launched into space	VERGA::KLAES	Slaves to the Metal Hordes	`Fri Jul 24 1992 21:34`	72
	Article: 2554 From: clarinews@clarinet.com (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer) Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.local.florida,clari.news.aviation Subject: Geotail research satellite launched Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 10:26:16 PDT CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- A $50 million Japanese satellite was hurled into space Friday by a NASA rocket to study how particles blasted away from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field. The 126-foot Delta 2 thundered to life on time at 10:26 a.m. EDT and quickly streaked away from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, putting the satellite on course for a September flyby of the Moon and a slingshot-like gravitational boost toward deep space. The Delta's thundering ascent was normal and about 20 minutes after liftoff the ``Geotail'' satellite safely separated from its spent solid-fuel third stage rocket. Antennas and booms carrying science instruments will be deployed later. Project manager Kenneth Sizemore said the satellite came through its ground-shaking launch in good shape with all systems ``go'' for a planned four-year mission. If all goes well, Geotail will pass within 6,000 miles of the Moon on Sept. 8, using the gravity of Earth's satellite to whip the spacecraft into a new orbit that will carry it 860,000 miles from Earth at its farthest point. A second lunar flyby in November will change the orbit once again, lowering the high point to about 400,000 miles. Geotail was designed to explore different aspects of Earth's ``magnetosphere,'' the invisible bubble of energy surrounding Earth like a giant doughnut that is defined by the planet's magnetic field and shaped by the solar wind. The appropriately named solar wind, made up of electrically charged protons and electrons emitted by the Sun, buffets the magnetosphere, distorting it into a teardrop-shaped region that stretches away some 2.7 million miles from Earth's night side. Over the next four years, seven instruments mounted aboard the Geotail satellite will probe the tail of the magnetosphere to learn more about how particles from the solar wind transfer energy into Earth's environment. Particles from powerful solar flares can disturb the ionosphere, disrupting radio communications and causing trouble for electrical power transmission on the planet's surface. By studying the interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere, scientists hope to learn how to predict such disruptive effects. ``This is a very important problem that's a direct application of the knowledge we derive from these types of missions,'' project scientist Mario Acuna said at a news conference Thursday. ``Eventually, we would like to have (the) capability to say, 'we just saw a solar flare on the Sun; what kind of risk does it represent to us on the Earth in terms of disturbance to man-made systems?''' The Geotail satellite is the centerpiece of a $160 million program split evenly between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. The Japanese space agency paid $50 million for the satellite and and another $30 million for experiment development while NASA supplied the Delta 2 rocket, launch services and two of the seven on-board experiments.
390.65	Geotail Launch Report - 7/24/92	PRAGMA::GRIFFIN	Dave Griffin	`Fri Jul 24 1992 22:49`	31
	The launch of the Geotail satellite aboard a Delta II occurred on time this morning at 10:26 am EDT, from Launch Pad 17-A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Geotail will be placed into a highly elliptical orbit of 32,000 by 871,000 miles for its first two-and-a-half years and then into a closer orbit. This will allow the instruments to investigate both far and near magnetic tail composition and activity. This spacecraft is the first of what will be a series of five satellites designed to explore the dynamic relationship between the Sun's solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field and various magnetosphere components, including the Van Allen belts and the Earth's geomagnetic tail. The investigations will be performed by American and Japanese investigators. Data from the spacecraft will be received by the Deep Space Network stations and then transmitted to the Goddard Space Flight Center. The investigators will be able to access data directly from the Goddard data facility while they remain at their home institutions. The spacecraft is expected to last four years and is equipped with seven instruments that will be performing measurements on the various magnetic field and particle components. In addition to its principal payload, the Delta II second stage carried a secondary scientific instrument, the Diffuse Ultraviolet Experiment, which will measure the diffuse glow from the interstellar medium and thereby help our understanding of the evolution of this interstellar matter. This experiment was turned on after the Geotail spacecraft had separated from the Delta second stage.
390.66	Geotail Press Kit	PRAGMA::GRIFFIN	Dave Griffin	`Fri Jul 24 1992 22:56`	7
	A text version of the Geotail press kit is available now. A formatted version will be available in a couple of weeks (I'm out of town for awhile). pragma::public:[nasa]geotail.txt - dave
390.67	GEOTAIL Update - September 3	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Sep 24 1992 16:17`	25
	Article: 1865 Newsgroups: sci.space.news From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Subject: Geotail Update - 09/03/92 Sender: news@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Usenet) Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 14:24:26 GMT Forwarded from the Goddard Space Flight Center GEOTAIL UPDATE: During the past week, Geotail operations included deployment for the two wire antennas and two probe antennas to the full extended length of 50 meters each. Japanese controllers at ISAS report that the spacecraft attitude was very stable during and after the extensions. Upcoming events include the deployment of the two rigid, 6-meter booms and the lunar swing-by which will occur on Tuesday, September 8. ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| Ron Baalke \| baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Jet Propulsion Lab \| ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|__ M/S 525-3684 Telos \| Anything is impossible if /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| Pasadena, CA 91109 \| you don't attempt it. \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ \|
390.68	GEOTAIL Update for September	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Fri Oct 09 1992 13:31`	29
	Article: 27138 Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Subject: GSFC Monthly Status Reports Sender: news@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Usenet) Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 05:58:17 GMT Goddard Monthly Public Affairs Status Report, September 1992 GEOTAIL Geotail Spacecraft GEOTAIL: Geotail is now in full science mode with the first segment of the mission, the deep tail phase, during which the spacecraft will use several orbits to travel deep into the geomagnetic tail, using lunar swing-bys to achieve the deep orbits. On Sept. 26, Geotail reached its first deep tail apogee, and conducted a velocity adjustment to shape the orbit for the first in-bound lunar swingby scheduled for October 14. Geotail was launched July 24, 1992 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station onboard a Delta II rocket. Contact: Dolores Beasley (301) 286-2806. ___ _____ ___ /_ /\| /____/ \ /_ /\| Ron Baalke \| baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov \| \| \| \| __ \ /\| \| \| \| Jet Propulsion Lab \| ___\| \| \| \| \|__) \|/ \| \| \|__ M/S 525-3684 Telos \| Einstein's brain is stored /___\| \| \| \| ___/ \| \|/__ /\| Pasadena, CA 91109 \| in a mason jar in a lab \|_____\|/ \|_\|/ \|_____\|/ \| in Wichita, Kansas.
390.69	Chiaki Mukai, Japan's first female astronaut	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Oct 29 1992 17:40`	67
	Article: 2775 From: clarinews@clarinet.com (UPI) Newsgroups: clari.news.interest,clari.news.group.women,clari.tw.space Subject: First Japanese woman astronaut chosen Date: Sun, 18 Oct 92 23:51:12 PDT TOKYO (UPI) -- Officials Monday announced plans to blast Japan's first-ever woman astronaut into space in 1994 aboard the U.S. shuttle Columbia. The National Space Development Agency said NASA Monday chose Chiaki Mukai, 40, to serve as a payload specialist on a 13-day, July 1994 mission. Mukai, a medical researcher trained in heart surgery, recently provided ground support when the world's first Japanese professional astronaut, physicist Mamoru Mori, went into space aboard the shuttle Endeavor. In the 1994 flight, Mukai will conduct experiments using a microgravity laboratory developed jointly by NASA, Japan, the European Space Agency, Canada, Germany and France. Article: 2777 From: clarinews@clarinet.com (UPI) Newsgroups: clari.news.interest,clari.tw.space,clari.news.top.world Subject: Japan's first woman astronaut looks forward to ``gazing at the Earth'' Date: Mon, 19 Oct 92 23:14:16 PDT TOKYO (UPI) -- Chiaki Mukai, the first Japanese woman picked to take part in a U.S. shuttle mission, said Monday she looked forward to realizing her ``dream of gazing at the Earth from outer space.'' NASA Monday selected Mukai, a 40-year-old medical researcher, to blast off into space in July 1994 aboard the space shuttle Columbia. ``I feel honored to be picked as a crew member,'' Mukai told a news conference following announcement of her selection. ``I want to devote myself to training, while looking forward to realizing my dream of gazing at the Earth from outer space.'' Mukai added that she hopes her participation in the Columbia mission will encourage other women to pursue space voyages. NASA plans to have Mukai conduct scientific experiments during a 13- day space journey aboard Columbia. She and two other Japanese nationals have been training with the U.S. space agency since 1985. ``Seven years have passed in a flash,'' said Mukai, who NASA has taught to be a payload specialist. ``I imagine I was picked because I have enriched experience.'' Last month, Mukai served as a backup when another NASA trainee, Mamoru Mohri, became Japan's first professional astronaut, traveling into space aboard the U.S. shuttle Endeavor. The zero gravity of space left Mohri's face swollen for three days, but Mukai Monday said she planned to try out her own ideas in an attempt to cut such post-space recovery time to one day. Mukai added that she learned of her selection early Monday in a telephone call from Japan's space agency. ``Bigger smiles have been on my face than usual since then,'' she said.
390.70	The ASTRO-D X-Ray satellite	VERGA::KLAES	All the Universe, or nothing!	`Thu Nov 12 1992 12:55`	49
	Article: 28552 Newsgroups: sci.astro,sci.space From: nousek@astro.psu.edu (John A. Nousek) Subject: Re: Japanese X-ray satellite: Astro_D Sender: news@cs.psu.edu (Usenet) Organization: Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Penn State University Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 19:14:27 GMT The original summary of Astro-D was roughly correct, but I can add more detail and correct some errors. The original launch date of Feb. 5 has been postponed until Feb. 12 (pretty good for the total slip over five years of development!). There will be substantial US participation in the mission and in exchange the US community will have an opportunity to compete for observing time. NASA's Astrophysics Division will release an NRA (NASA Research Announcement) on 15 Jan 93, due on 15 April, to allow US scientists to propose to use 15% of the total observing time for US only work and another 25% of the time for US-Japanese collaborations. The instruments consist of four conical foil X-ray telescopes built by Pete Serlimitsos of Goddard Space Flight Center, two X-ray CCD cameras built by George Ricker of MIT (with Penn State Co-I's) and two gas scintillation proportional counters built by Prof. Makashima of Tokyo University. The four telescopes are coaligned and will simultaneously point at the observing target, allowing both CCD cameras and both GIS counters to collect data. Each mirror detector system has an effective area around 400 cm^2, giving a total effective area greater than Einstein, ROSAT or AXAF over most of the energy range. Moreover the graze angle is smaller for these mirrors so they retain large effective area up to 12 keV! (For reference the Einstein mirrors dropped off at 3-4 keV, ROSAT at 2 keV and AXAF at 9 keV). The major limitation of these mirrors is that they are not true imagers (i.e. they are right cone segments and not paraboloid- hyperboloid pairs). This limits the spatial resolving power to 1.3 arc min half power radius [although there is a sharp core to the PSF which has been demonstrated to resolve point source 36 arc sec apart.] The spectral resolution of the detectors is quite good. The GIS has 8% energy resolution at 5.9 keV, and CCDs have 120 eV resolution at 5.9 keV. The energy band pass runs from 0.4 keV up to 12 keV. I don't know about press release material but an instrument description will be included with the NRA in January of 1993. John Nousek Penn State University Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics nousek@astro.psu.edu
390.71	Japan to test microwave power in space	VERGA::KLAES	I, Robot	`Mon Dec 07 1992 19:38`	30
	Article: 2862 From: clarinews@clarinet.com (UPI) Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.tw.space Subject: Scientists to fly rockets by microwave in space Date: 7 Dec 92 11:35:29 GMT TOKYO (UPI) -- A Japanese research group is trying to control microwaves in outer space in an effort to harness them as a future power source, researchers told the Kyodo New Service Monday. The group, led by Kyoto University Professor Hiroshi Matsumoto, succeeded in flying a model airplane powered by microwaves last August. They plan next to perform more sophisticated tests, such as controlling the direction of microwave transmission, according to the researchers. Matsumoto and Kobe University Assistant Professor Nobuyuki Kaya said they hope eventually to use solar power satellites or space stations to transmit microwaves to Earth for use as electrical power. Matsumoto said the group in January will test the transmission of microwaves 168 miles above Earth between two rockets equipped with microwave amplifiers. The rockets will send and receive microwaves as strong as those produced in a household microwave oven and the researchers will try to observe the effects outer space will have on the transmissions. Matsumoto said he hopes the technology will serve as an alternative power source by the middle of the next century, Kyodo reported.
390.72	ASTRO-D mission set for launch February 12	VERGA::KLAES	I, Robot	`Fri Jan 15 1993 18:58`	61
	Article: 2852 Newsgroups: sci.space.news From: Yoshiro Yamada <yamada@ysc.go.jp> Subject: The Astro-D Mission Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov Organization: Yokohama Science Center, Yokohama, Japan Date: Thu, 14 Jan 1993 04:18:39 GMT The Astro-D Mission Institute of Space and Astronautical Science Astro-D, the 15th scientific satellite and the fourth X-ray astronomy mission of ISAS, will be launched by the M3S-II-7 roket from the ISAS Kagoshima Space Center at 11:00 JST on February 12, 1993. Astro-D is an advanced X-ray astronomy observatory which possesses unprecedented capabilities in several respects. NASA has provided strong support for this project. Astro-D is equipped with the following X-ray imaging and spectroscopic instruments: (1) Large-area X-ray telescopes with wide wavelength (1-20 A) coverage, utilizing the multilayer thin-foil conical optics technology developed by Dr. P. Serlemitsos of NASA/GSFC, and prepared jointly by his group at GSFC, and the groups of Nagoya University and ISAS. (2) X-ray CCD cameras with superior spectral resolution which were developed by the group of Dr. G. Ricker at MIT, and jointly prepared by his group and the groups of Osaka University and ISAS. This is the first time that X-ray spectroscopic CCDs will be used in orbit. (3) Imaging gas scintillation proportional counters with medium spectral resolution, developed by the groups of the University of Tokyo and ISAS. In addition, an extensive set of computer software has been developed by the joint team of Japanese (ISAS, Univ. of Tokyo, Nagoya Univ., Kyoto Univ., Osaka Univ. and RIKEN) and U.S. (GSFC, MIT and Penn. State Univ.) scientists. With its high sensitivity and high spectroscopic capability, the investigations with Astro-D will extend to virtually all classes of astronomical objects, ranging from nearby stars to the most distant quasars, on various current subjects: e.g., the physics of neutron stars and black holes, supernovae and supernova remnants, the evolution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, the physics of active galactic nuclei, and the origin of the cosmic X-ray background. Through these investigations. Astro-D is expected to make important contributions to the advancement of astrophysics and cosmology. A significant portion of the Astro-D observing time will be made available to international investigators. Typed by Reiko Shindo, YSC. Provided by ISAS Office of External Relations, The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.73	Dr. Chiaki Mukai to fly on Shuttle in 1994	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Wed Jun 09 1993 15:13`	75
	From: US1RMC::"R4650001@nickel.laurentian.ca" "Andrew Yee, Science North" 9-JUN-1993 01:27:09.64 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: Another dream realized: Dr. Chiaki Mukai's IML-2 flight decided [Reprinted from NASDA Report No. 19 (March 1993). NASDA (National Space Development Agency of Japan) is one of the two space agencies of Japan. NOTE: No attempts have been made to correct any original syntax errors.] Another Dream Realized: Dr. Chiaki Mukai's IML-2 Flight Decided "I am really very happy, and I feel I will have to work even harder from now on." Dr. Chiaki Mukai was assigned to the Payload Specialist (PS) on the Space Shuttle "Columbia" for the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) in July 1994, thus expressed her pleasure at the decision and ambition for the mission in the two years hence. Dr. Mukai will be the first Japanese woman in space. IML-2 is an international space experiment project led by NASA. It will fly experiment equipment gathered from the participant countries into the space experiment laboratory (Spacelab) aboard the "Columbia" where crew members will conduct life science and material processing experiments. Space experiments conducted will encompass a total of 80 themes proposed by the participant countries, including 12 themes proposed by Japan. The flight is scheduled for 13 days which is longer than "Fuwatto '92" conducted last September. [NOTE: "Fuwatto '92" is the Japanese designation of the STS-47/Spacelab-J flight.] In the IML-2 project, there are many science experiments which require astronauts' expertise, such as cell separation by electrophoresis. PS Mukai was selected because she has had experiment training as one of the back-up PSs for the "Fuwatto '92" and has sufficient knowledge about life science as a doctor of medicine. PS Mukai expressed her high expectations for IML-2 because she feels it is worth doing due to the numerous experiment themes and possibility of comparing each participant country's technology level through experiment equipment provided. Mr. Richard J. Hieb, who was selected for IML-2 as payload commander (PC), came to Japan with PS Mukai on October 27, 1992 and held a press conference with her. Mr. Hieb is a shuttle mission veteran with two flights, and he will be in charge of coordinating all conditions and requirements concerning IML payload missions. Mr. Hieb spoke to the press and answered their questions. He said, "Team work is very important for the mission success, and I don't think there is any problem in working with a Japanese PS." He expressed his resolve to achieve success of the international mission, saying, "I think it is very significant that personnel with different backgrounds in policy and culture participate cooperatively in space programs." <Profile> Name: Chiaki Mukai (M.D.) (Ph.D.) May 6, 1952 Born in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan August 1985 Selected as PS for "Fuwatto '92" by NASDA while engaged in clinic and research on cardiovascular surgery as an assistant in the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University after graduating from the School of Medicine. November 1985 Employed by NASDA and underwent training in Japan and US. September 1992 Supported "Fuwatto '92" from the ground as a back-up PS. Martial Status: Married Hobby: Sports (Especially, her ability of skiing is semiprofessional) Height: 158 cm Weight: 52 kg
390.74	ASCA Status Reports - February and March	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Wed Jul 14 1993 15:17`	178
	From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 12-JUL-1993 04:26:16.24 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: ASCA Status Report Provided by the Office of External Relations, The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). Typed by Reiko Shindo, Yokohama Science Center. ASCA Status Report No.1 February 25, 1993 The Astro-D satellite was successfully launched on February 20, 1993, at 11:00 JST (02:00 UT) from kagoshima Space Center. The satellite was named ASCA (the Japanese characters for it mean a "flying bird", or it is an acronym of an "advanced satellite for cosmology and astrophysics"). The achieved orbit has the following parameters: Orbital period: 96.09 min. Inclination angle: 31.10 deg. Height of perigee: 523.6 km Height of apogee: 615.3 km The spin rate of the satellite at injection was ~2 rps which was then dropped to 7.8 rpm by a yo-yo despinner. The spin rate was further reduced by means of a magnetic torquing from 21 through 24 February to the intended rate of 0.9 rpm. A correction of the spin axis orientation was also performed in this period. On 25 February, the satellite was put into a flat spin at a rate of ~0.2 rpm in preparation for the solar paddle deployment. This was implemented by activating reaction wheels which absorbed the angular momentum of the satellite body and shift the angular momentum vector to become perpendicular to the satellite body (y-axis). Then. The solar paddles were deployed at 02:05 UT. Generation of nominal power was confirmed. Presently, the satellite is slowly rotating at a rate of 0.17 rpm with the solar paddles pointed to the sun ("safe hold mode"). In-orbit verification of subsystems and the steps for completing the final satellite configuration have been in progress on schedule. The optical bench which is currently folded short will be extended in early March. We continue verificatin of the attitude control system, involving star trackers, gyros, reaction wheels, and the on board computers. Subsequently, we shall begin in-orbit test and tuning of the X-ray detectors, i,e,. the X-ray CCD cameras and the imaging gas scintillation proportional counters. Currently, we anticipate to make ASCA ready for test observations before 20 March. Yasuo Tanaka & The ASCA Operation Team ASCA Status Report No.2 March 2, 1993 In-orbit tests of the ASCA satellite has been proceeding smoothly. After the deployment of solar paddles on February 25, we began tests of the computer-controlled attitude control system involving the attitude sensors (star trackers, sun sensors), gyro reference system, reaction wheels. Results obtained so far demonstrate that two star sensors are able to detect stars down to at least 7th magnitude. The performance of the sun sensors, gyros, and reaction wheels have been verified satisfactorily. The on-board computer control has achieved a long-term attitude stability of the satellite within 10 arcseconds. A satellite maneuver was also performed and the function was verified. On March 2, extension of the optical bench which had been folded short inside the satellite was commenced at 04:21 JST. The optical bench was successfully extended by 1.2 m in 4.5 min. and latched firm in position. The sun shade also opened at the same time. Thus, the X-ray telescope system with a focal length of 3.5m has been established. Following the solar paddle deployment on February 25, we have now completed a set- up of the final in-orbit configuration of the satellite ASCA. In order to avoid condensation on the mirror surfaces., heaters on the telescope cases were switched on on February 26. As a result, the telescope temperature has been maintained at 5 deg - 10 deg C. No significant difference in temperature was observed before and after opening sunshade, which might indicate that the thin thermal-shield films (0.5 micron and 0.25 micron thick poly- ester) remained essentially intact. We will further continue fine tuning of the attitude control system including star trackers, and gradually build up tests of the X-ray detectors as scheduled. Yasuo Tanaka & ASCA Operation Team ASCA Status Report No.3 March 15. 1993 The gas scintillation imaging spectrometers(GIS), two of the four focal plane detectors, have been successfully put into operation. Test of GIS started on March 12. High voltage supplies for photomultiplier tubes were switched on on March 12, and those for gas cells on March 13. The high voltage values have been raised gradually up to the final operational level through March 15. Both GIS counters are verified to behave normally. Quick analysis shows that the instrument background rates are roughly as expected. The background rate will be eventually reduced to minimum by trimming several background rejection logics in coming weeks. As the above test was performed during the course of the attitude control system test according to its own prioritized schedule, no attempt was made to point the telescopes to a Known X-ray source during this operation. No visible source happened to be present in the field of view in the exposures of about one hour in total. The GIS data will be accumulated in coming days, and the instrument characteristics will be examined further before the telescopes will be pointed to an X-ray source to be chosen in the field near the present telescope axis, which will occur around March 18. Yasuo Tanaka & ASCA Operation Team ASCA Status Report No.4 March 24, 1993 The first light was successfully received from EXO 0748-676 with the Gas scintillation Imaging Spectrometers (GIS) on March 18, 1993. Observation of SN1993J by ASCA On March 30, soon after all the instruments of ASCA became ready for observation, an IAU telegram reported the detection of SN1993J in nearby galaxy M81(NGC3031, about ten million light years away from the solar system)in the direction of Canis Major. Brightening of SN1993J was detected on March 28 and the magnitude reached 10.5 on March 31, which is the brightest supernova since 1972 with the exception of SN1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud in 1987. There has been almost no previous observation of such a bright supernova in the X-ray band immediately after the explosion. ASCA changed its observation schedule and pointed at the supernova on April 5 and 7. ASCA detected intense X-ray emission from SN1993J. German X-ray astronomy satellite ROSAT also made an observation and detected X-rays. What is to be noted is that ASCA was able to obtain the X-ray image and energy spectrum in a wide wave length band of 0.5 - 10 keV. This is the first detection of X-rays from supernovae as early as 10 days after the outburst. The intensity of the X-ray emission from the supernova observed by ASCA is about million times of the total luminosity of our sun, and the X-ray spectrum is consistent with an assumption that the X-rays are from gas of extremely high temperature of more than hundred million degrees. Such emission is thought to be originate from the collision of the supernova ejecta with the circumstellar material which was ejected from the progenitor star just before the explosion. It is expected that X-ray observation of the supernova will provide us with important information such as what happened in the final stage of the evolution of the progenitor star, evolution of temperature and lonization state of the shocked material as the shock wave propagates, and information on the newly born neutron star which may have been formed at the center of the supernova. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.75	Japanese space efforts, history, and outlook	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Wed Jul 14 1993 22:24`	343
	Article: 66695 From: rick@cs.arizona.edu (Rick Schlichting) Newsgroups: sci.space,comp.research.japan Subject: Kahaner Report: Japanese Space Efforts, History & Outlook Date: 1 Jul 1993 20:06:46 -0700 Organization: University of Arizona CS Department, Tucson AZ Sender: rick@CS.Arizona.EDU [Dr. David Kahaner is a numerical analyst on sabbatical to the Office of Naval Research-Asia (ONR Asia) in Tokyo from NIST. The following is the professional opinion of David Kahaner and in no way has the blessing of the US Government or any agency of it. All information is dated and of limited life time. This disclaimer should be noted on ANY attribution.] [Copies of previous reports written by Kahaner can be obtained using anonymous FTP from host cs.arizona.edu, directory japan/kahaner.reports.] From: Dr. David K. Kahaner US Office of Naval Research Asia (From outside US): 23-17, 7-chome, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106 Japan (From within US): Unit 45002, APO AP 96337-0007 Tel: +81 3 3401-8924, Fax: +81 3 3403-9670 Email: kahaner@cs.titech.ac.jp Re: Japanese Space Efforts, History & Outlook 1 July 1993 This file is named "j-space.93" ABSTRACT: History & outlook for Japanese space efforts (Akiba). HISTORY & OUTLOOK FOR JAPANESE SPACE EFFORTS Article by Director-General Dr Ryojiro Akiba Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229 Japan Tel: +81 427-51 1185, -51 3911; Fax: +81 427-59 4251, -59 4255 The original of this article appeared in in "Kokusai Koku Uchu Symposium" (in Japanese), 1 Dec 1992. Subsequently, Dr Akiba provided me with many updates, additions and corrections. I wish to acknowledge his efforts as well as those of Ms Takemi Chiku (Office of External Relations, ISAS). 1. History to Advent of 'Ohsumi' Japan's activities in the field of space development began with scientific observation and have been marked from the first by peaceful goals. The pencil rocket was first planned by Professor Itogawa of the Production Technology Research Institute of Tokyo University Institute of Industrial Science and other volunteers from university and government as an engineering research project following the resumption of aeronautical research. But just three months before the experiment was conducted something happened which had a great impact on the course of space research in Japan. This was the decision to participate in the International Geophysical Year (IGY) events with a domestic sounding rocket. What was of great technological significance up until that point in time was the adoption of solid rockets. At the time, it was conventional wisdom throughout the world that in order to attain high altitudes a rocket should be a liquid-propellant rocket in the tradition of the V-2, and that solid rocket technology, on the surface of things, appeared to offer little future potential. It must be admitted that, in conducting research toward the goal of achieving the capability of reaching altitudes of 100km, as required for the IGY, the problems which had to be faced as the project progressed were greater than anybody expected. However, it should be emphasized that there was some prospect for success. The most contributing factor to achieve such goal, despite the prevailing situation, was the development of composite propellants. Even though, in the end, the 100km altitude could not be achieved, the K-6 rocket was capable of reaching 60km, and was used in the final six months of the IGY for high-altitude air temperature and wind observations. This was the first time Japan contributed to the international society with the use of sounding rockets. Building on the achievements during the IGY, the development of sounding rockets proceeded steadily, which were eventually so matured that the feasibility of launching artificial satellites was now studied. Against this background and with the demand by space scientists all over Japan, the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Sciences (ISAS) was founded as part of Tokyo University in 1964. This institute was to be used as a joint research institute for the purpose of achieving space observations using space carrier vehicles. It is true that some bitter setbacks were to be encountered before the advent of out first satellite, but Japan's first artificial satellite, named "Ohsumi," was launched in 1970. Meanwhile, for a time in the latter half of the 1960's, much attention was focused on the utilization of space in the fields of communications and meteorological observations. This had an impact on the direction of space research in Japan also, resulting in a flurry of activity to set up a central organization to handle space development in application fields, which finally resulted in the establishment of the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) in 1969. 2. History of Satellite and Launch Vehicle Projects It was natural that, with the founding of the National Space Development Agency, studies should be done to come up with a basic government policy on how in the future to handle the scientific satellite projects which had been conducted at Tokyo University. As a result, the scientific and application fields were separated, as we see today, with these being handled, respectively, by the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Sciences (ISAS) at Tokyo University and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA), with the coordination of the Space Activities Commission. Under the increasing influence of large-scale applications programs, which began later, scientific satellite programs gradually produced results and made successes commensurate with the capabilities of Japanese rockets. With this background, the scientific satellite program, in response to the demand by space scientists, started to make steady progress toward more advanced observations. Let us list here the scientific satellites up until the early 1980's that made the most lasting impression: "Shinsei" and "Taiyo", which carried out the observation of ionospheric anomaly associated with anomalies in the terrestrial magnetism over South America; "Kyokko", which succeeded in photographing UV images of the aurora; "Jikiken" which conducted comparative observations of magnetospheric plasma phenomena and aurora activities; "Hakucho" and "Tenma, which observed X-ray stars using the modulation collimator; "Hinotori", which contributed to the X-ray observation of the sun during periods of high activity; and "Ozora", which was successful in the remote observation of the atmosphere at mid-altitude. All of these satellites were small, but they nevertheless produced outstanding results that attracted the attention of space scientists all over the world. At its foundation the National Space Development Agency was charged with the mission of placing satellites of appropriate size into stationary earth orbits. Judging it impracticable to quickly move to the practical stage with only domestic efforts, NASDA decide to import technology pursuant to the exchange of notes between Japan and the US in 1969. Thus development work began on the N-series rocket that was based on transferred technology of Delta-series liquid-fuel rockets. The Japan-U.S. Exchange Communique pertained not only to rockets, but was an agreement concerning the acquisition of technology related to a broad range o space equipment, and contained items that restricted the transfer of such technology to a third nation. As a result, very great restraints remained as we entered the era of space commercialization, and the pros and cons of this communique are still debated. In any case, the US technology transfer enabled NASDA to acquire liquid-fuel rocket technology in a relatively short time frame, and in 1977 successfully launched the geostationary engineering testing satellite "Kiku-II" with the third N-I rocket. However, NASDA was still far from obtaining the launch capability to meet the demands of those application satellites between 300-350kg in mass. Thus NASDA had to commission two satellite launches to the United States before the next generation N-II vehicle was ready to go in 1981. Prior to this (1978) the Space Activity Commission formulated the Space Fundamental Development Policy Guidelines. In this document, the importance of promoting the development of rockets using Japanese technology was stressed, and this brought Japanese space activities to another turning point. It was at this time that the development of both the H-I, with its cryogenic second stage, and the H-II, with its cryogenic first and second stages based solely on Japanese technology, was initially conceived. 3. Age of Internationalization In the past 10 years, the Japanese prowess in space development has very quickly gained recognition internationally. This, naturally, is due in part to the overall advance achieved by Japanese industry. But another large factor has been the fact that the United States and Soviet Union both slowed the pace of their space development for different reasons. First, in the field of space science, the probe to Halley's comet, which approached our sun in 1986, were in many respects epoch-making. On the domestic front, it was this development that was the occasion of the founding of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. Concurrently, Japan participated with the United States, Soviet Union, and European nations in this project with two probes, and successfully achieved her goals. This led not only to the development of the probe vehicles, but also to major improvements in the M rocket launch vehicle. The M-3SII rocket which resulted, is still the primary launch vehicle used for scientific satellites. On the international front, U.S.-Soviet antagonism was still quite severe, and it was little short of amazing that U.S., European, Soviet, and Japanese organizations could all cooperate and conduct projects successfully. This was regarded around the world as an ideal example of international cooperation. Since then international cooperation was also achieved with the participation of Japanese and foreign scientists in the projects involving the satellites which the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science subsequently launched, namely the "Ginga," Akebono," "Hiten," and "Yohkoh," despite their small scale. In July of this year, moreover, the magnetospheric observation satellite "Geotail" was launched from Cape Canaveral in a collaborative program with NASA. In the practical field, the H-I rocket was completed at about the same time. This vehicle was used to launch application satellites used for such diverse purposes as communications, broadcasting, meteorology, and ocean and land observations. This allowed Japan to gain more confidence in its indigenous technology. However, the impact of globalization in application fields are even more complicated. One of the problems is the demand by the United States to open the satellite market for government procurement concerning communication satellites and others. Such demand was made under the Super 301, a part of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, which is often referred to in reference to US-Japan trade imbalance. Japan fully accepted the US demand, and as a result, it has been agreed that the government budget can cover only those satellite projects for the demonstration of new technology or for non-commercial and scientific research purposes. For the time being, the largest international cooperative program in space is the Space Station Freedom. The United States seems determined to implement this project as a matter of national pride, and there can be no doubt but that this project will have an extremely large influence on the future of the application field. In any case, steady efforts are being directed toward utilization of the space environment, and the manned space experiments conducted this past September (1992) in the space shuttle Endeavor are still fresh in our memories. One example of the utilization of space environment is the joint project SFU undertaken by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), and National Space Development Agency (NASDA). The field of earth observation has become of interest in recent years from the perspective of environmental preservation. In this International Space Year, in particular, we are seeing a lot of international activity that has been organized under the banner of "Mission to Planet Earth." In this field Japan is also contributing internationally with the launches of MOS-1a and b, and JERS. This field is also of interest to the so-called non-space nations in terms of remote sensing and is being carried out with wide participation by researchers and agencies all over the world. 4. Perspectives Now, in Japan, two rocket vehicles are under development, namely the M-V and the H-II. The M-V is designed to launch scientific satellites and the H-II to launch application satellites. The M-V can place a payload of up to two tons into low earth orbit, and will be used in the future for small missions to the moon and the planets and for small to medium-sized earth missions. The H-II, on the other hand, is capable of placing about two tons into geostationary orbit, and will be used in the future for commercial launches. Space research is becoming increasingly diverse and advanced, however the scope of activities is likely to remain in the area covering from the near-earth to the planets. Therefore, the development of M-V does not immediately lead to larger probes and satellites. The fields of infrared millimeter wave astronomy, VLBI astronomy, and lunar and planetary probes, including sample-return missions employing robots, are expected to develop rapidly in the future. In the field of engineering, a future space transportation system is a research theme of major concern. Projects currently underway include the MUSES-B which involves space VLBI tests, PLANET-B in which the interrelationship between the martian atmosphere and solar winds is being studied, and LUNAR-A which will send a lunar seismograph to the moon. In the practical field, development of a winged space shuttle "Hope" is targeted for the purpose of transporting products from the Space Station, as a part of the efforts to establish the infrastructure for space operations. Stimulated by the finding of new merits of small satellites, the development of J-1 with only solid stages is being carried out, combining the solid booster of H-II and the upper stage of M-3SII. Also planned are robot engineering test satellites to establish the technology required for on-orbit rendezvous and docking techniques and the "Comets" satellites for developing new technology oriented toward future communications needs. A great deal of developmental work is being focused on making earth observation satellites more functionally sophisticated with higher precision, while the completion of the overall observation system is certainly one of the major objectives, as it is reflected in the proposal of WEDOS. Sending a manned probe to Mars is, of course, a very attractive project. The dominant view, of course, is that this should be pursued as a joint international project. The present writer has no desire to argue against this view, except to register my skepticism on the feasibility of implementing such a project in the context of international cooperation. I say this because of the difficulty I have in envisioning a scenario in which the sum of the cost is estimated at the global total, and then, the necessary funding is somehow raised in ways that coincide with each nation's own projects. But let us suppose, for argument's sake, that this is all possible. Such a project is still of dubious significance unless it lasts forever. Therefore, we would first have to increase the scale of space utilization and to implant by various means the sound consciousness of the usefulnesses of space activities in the mind of the general public. The solar power generating satellite is drawing attention as a future means to provide a non-polluting power source which lasts forever. However, it would be of enormous scale. It would therefore, require a lot of technological development, making it difficult to estimate its full cost. There is no climate currently for supporting a global approach to this project. According to forecasts based on global models, however, after recognizing that we have already used up half of our subterranean oil reserves, it is said that the environment will deteriorate in the early 2000's, due to the increase in carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the environment, so that world population will begin to decline. In other words, the retrogression of modern civilization will be staring us in the face if we do not alter our present course. The only way to avoid such an embarrassing eventuality is to abandon our oil-dependent civilization. It is in this context that the costs of solar power satellites should be debated, and not on the basis of current electric power costs. In any event, what we need to do now is, in the first place, to steadily develop the requisite technology for a future solar power satellite project and, in the second, to take every opportunity we can to demonstrate developed technologies as much as possible so that the general public could be convinced that it is feasible and so that a solid support base can be formed. The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, albeit on a small scale, is steadily making efforts in this direction. ISAS has organized researchers nationally, and early in 1994 plans to conduct microwave electric power transmission tests in the ionosphere using a sounding rocket, as part of the activities of the International Space Year (ISY) sponsored by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). The importance of the development of a low-cost mass transport vehicle such as the space plane can surely be emphasized from this perspective. Attempts on the moon would have slightly different meaning compared to a manned Mars project. In the examinations at the international level, too, the major significance of the lunar activities was found in scientific observations or in building bases of experiments for many purposes including scientific observations. Much experience has been gained on the moon through the Apollo Program, and lunar activities are included in the scope of near-earth activities. It is not too much to say that the moon is another Antarctic. Taking into consideration that a number of problems still remain to be solved for adapting man to outer space environment, the effects of developing manned activities on the moon would be beyond one's expectation. In our country, the Institute of Future Technology is playing a key role in conducting technological investigations related to the establishment of lunar base by private companies (see also the report "iftec.93", 28 June 1993). The precondition for building the lunar base is the development of an effective transportation system. Unfortunately, such scenario is likely to be considered as unrealistic since our country still does not have such ambitious manned projects. It is my strong wish that scientists evaluate the effectiveness of lunar activities from the right and broad perspectives. Also, under the current circumstances, it is said that the one which will have the highest demand in space is space tourism. The value of the moon as the resource for tourism should be worth considering. I believe that, in due course, space operations will become closely linked to our daily lives, and bring us many wonderful benefits. -------------------------------END OF REPORT-----------------------
390.76	H-II Rocket Schedule	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Fri Nov 12 1993 16:08`	66
	From: US1RMC::"kwatana@ipx.tksc.nasda.go.jp" "Katsumi Watanabe" 12-NOV-1993 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: NASDA PRESS RELEASE: SCHEDULE OF THE LAUNCH OPERATION OF H-II FIRST FLIGHT. NASDA PRESS RELEASE ---------------------------- SCHEDULE OF THE LAUNCH OPERATION OF H-II FIRST FLIGHT October 29, 1993 NASDA HQ, Tokyo National Space Development Agency of Japan(NASDA) will conduct preparation of H-II Rocket first to target to launch on February 1, 1994, at Tanegashima Space Center. The detail schedule is as follows November 6, 1993 Attachment of the first stage of H-II Rocket and Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) at Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) November 10, 1993 Attachement of the first stage of H-II Rocket and the second stage at VAB November 21, 1993 Rocket movement to the Pad Service Tower(PST) - The rocket constructed on the movable launch pad in the VAB will move about 500 meters away to the PST at the Yoshinobu Launch Site. December 23, 1993 Cryogenic Flow Test at Tanegashima Space Center January 14, 1994 Attachment of the Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP) and the Orbital Re-Entry Experiment Vehicle (OREX) at Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA) January 17, 1994 Movement of the fairing parts and attachmen of the fairing and the second stage at the Yoshinobu Launch Site January 28, 1994 Start of the Count-Down (Y-3) February 1, 1994 Launch day Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP) and Orbital Re-entry Experiment Vehicle (OREX) will be opened to the public on November 4, 1993 at the Second Spacecraft Test Building (#2 STA). **************************************************** If you are interested in convering them, please contact the following: Yoko Inomata, Akiko Suzuki/NASDA Public Relations Office, Tokyo Phone: +81-3-5470-4283, FAX: +81-3-5470-4130 -- ------------------------------------------ National Space Deveropment Agency of Japan Computer System Planning Division Computer Center General Service Department, Tsukuba Space Center Katsumi Watanabe kwatana@ipx.tksc.nasda.go.jp ------------------------------------------
390.77	ADEOS	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Wed Dec 29 1993 18:55`	125
	From: US1RMC::"kwatana@rd.tksc.nasda.go.jp" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 27-DEC-1993 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT of Advanced Earth Observation Satellite (ADEOS) RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT of Advanced Earth Observation Satellite (ADEOS) CAL/VAL and SCIENCE Proposal Due Jan. 25, 1994 NAtional Space Development Agency of Japan(NASDA) Japan Environment Agency (EA) Ministry of International Trade and Industry(MITI) Oct. 15,'93 Dear Colleague, Ongoing ADEOS project which started in 1986 and targets its satellite launch in early 1996, is purposed to enlarge the potential understanding of the Eaeth environments and its degradation, represented by a couple of unusual phenomena, such as the global warming, rain forest deforestation, ozone layer depletion, etc. by the combined data utilization and analyses of multiple sensors onboard the satellite. In order to enhance and demonstrate the ADEOS potential in Earth monitoring, this NASDA-EA-MITI based Joint Research Announcement for ADEOS, hereinafter JRA, solicits proposals for the primary utilization of multiple or individual sensor data installed on ADEOS, where NASDA stands for NAtional Space Development Agency of Japan, EA for Japan Environment Agency and MITI for Ministry of International Trade and Industry. JRA also solicits the proposals in the fields of CAL/VAL, where the characterization of the sensors, calibration of the product and their validation are expected, and SCIENCE, where the understanding of the Earth environments are expected. JRA solicitation is open to all categories of Japanese and Foreign investigators: educational institutions, other nonprofit institutions, and governmental agencies. Investigators whose proposals are accepted under this JRA will be appointed as the members of the ADEOS Research Organization for the further successes. ADEOS is the polar orbiting platform carring eight sensors, such as OCTS, Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner, AVNIR, Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer, ILAS, Improved Limb Atmospheric Spectrometer, and RIS, Retroreflector In Space, IMG, Interferometric Monitor for Greenhouse Gases, NSCAT, NASA Scatterometer, TOMS, Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer, POLDER, Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectance. Most of the installed sensor data except AVNIR will be acquired by the data recorders 24 hours a day and dumped to the ground stations so as to make global data set ready for this JRA activity and further data evaluation and understanding. The satellite will be carried by NASDA's latest launch vehicle, H-II at Tanegashima Space Center on early 1996. The ADEOS RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT with full packege of information aims to the researchers, who intended the participation to the ADEOS RA activity relating the first opportunity released Aug. 5, '93, to complete the proposals with full understanding of the solicited research items and data handling condition, etc. All of these conditions are given in this package. These proposals are due by Jan. 25,'94. Then, the selection work will be concluded by the end of April '94. Detailed information on the research goals and objectives, datapolicy, proposal selection process, ADEOS Research Organization, schedules, are given in Appendix-A. Guideline for the application is given in the Appendix-B. ADEOS Operation concept is given in Appendix-C. Identifier :JRA-93-001 Proposal :Notification of your proposal as well as providing the requested information in the guideline for the application in Appendix-B are desired by MAIL. Please do not sendit by E-mail or FAX. Submit Proposal To :Takashi Moriyama JRA office in charge of ADEOS RA Earth Observation Center / NASDA / 1401 Numanoue Ohashi, Hatoyama-machi, Hiki-gun, Saitama-ken, Japan 350-03 TEL.81-492-98-1211, FAX.81-492-98-1001(96-0217) Number of Copies :12 Due Date of proposal:Jan. 25,'94 Additional Information: Masanobu Shimada/Earth Observation Center,NASDA/ General except TEL.81-492-98-1215, FAX.81-492-98-1001 ILAS, RIS and IMG E-mail, "shimada%nsaeoc@rd.tksc.nasda.go.jp" ILAS,RIS :Yasuhiro Sasano/ Global Environment Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies/ EA TEL.81-298-51-6111, FAX.81-298-51-4732 E-mail, "sasano@nies.go.jp" IMG :Haruhisa Shimoda/ Tokai University research and Information Center TEL.81-3-3481-0611, FAX.81-3-3481-0610 TLX: 2423402UNITOKJ (Request of Appendix: E-mail, ishida@rd.tksc.nasda.go.jp ) Please use identifier number JRA-93-001 when making an inquiry regarding this announcement. Your interest and cooperation in this participation are highly appreciated. Very Sincerely, Takehiro Iida Director of Earth Observation Center NAtional Space Development Agency of Japan Yasuhiro Sasano,Dr. Head,Satelliteremote Sensing Research Team, Global Environment Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan Environment Agency Masao Omichi Director,Space Industry Division,Machinery and Information Industries Bureau, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Notes: It should be noted that this final announcement of JRA will solicit proposals addressing calibration, validation and use of data from all sensors except the POLDER. POLDER dedicated joint announcement will be released shortly by NASDA and CNES to complement this JRA. NASDA and CNES will make their best efforts to establish appropriate links between ADEOS Research Organization and the International POLDER Science Working Team through joint sub groups, workshops and other mechanisms.
390.78	H-2 rocket launch delayed	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Tue Feb 01 1994 15:46`	57
	Article: 2131 From: clarinews@clarinet.com (UPI) Newsgroups: clari.biz.economy.world,clari.tw.aerospace Subject: Launch of first made-in-Japan rocket postponed Date: Mon, 31 Jan 94 7:01:31 PST TOKYO (UPI) -- The National Space Development Agency postponed the scheduled launch Tuesday of the first rocket made entirely in Japan, a milestone in the country's space program, agency officials said Monday. NASDA officials said approaching thunderclouds led to the postponement of the launch from Tuesday until Wednesday at the earliest from the Tanegashima Space Center on the southernmost island of Kyushu. The 50-meter, two-stage launch vehicle is equipped with two large engines utilizing liquid oxygen and hydrogen and is capable of sending a two-ton class payload or multiple payloads into geostationary transfer orbit at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers, or 22,320 miles. The rocket will carry a Vehicle Evaluation Payload satellite, which will confirm the launch performance of the H-2 as well as its compatibility with the new range facilities at Tanegashima. It will also carry an experimental vehicle called the Orbital Re- entry Experiment, part of a program to prepare a Japanese space shuttle to be launched around the year 2005. Even before the launch, development of the H-2 raised speculation that Japan may use the technology to build military missiles -- speculation the government denied. Problems that included two engine explosions -- one of which killed an engineer -- plagued the development of the rocket. The cost of launching the H-2 has soared to 19 billion yen ($172 million), compared with 11 billion yen ($100 million) for the launching of the European Space Agency's Ariane rocket. In August 1991, a prototype engine blew up at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' rocket engine factory, killing the engineer. A second engine exploded in June 1992. Mitsubishi officials blamed the blasts on welding problems on engine pipes. Part of the reason for the quality problem was that ``development engineers on the front were promoted to higher positions as the development proceeded,'' said Akio Suzuki, a chief engineer at Mitsubishi. ``It was hard to maintain consistency as younger engineers took over,'' he said. A space development agency official also blamed an unrealistic launch deadline. Development started in the mid-1980s. NASDA Officials said Japan still lags behind the United States, Russia, and Europe in rocket technology.
390.79	H-2 and OREX launched	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Fri Feb 04 1994 16:32`	22
	Article: 82557 From: maclaren@prairienet.org (Scott MacLaren) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Japanese H-II launched successfully Date: 4 Feb 1994 14:20:53 GMT Organization: The East-Central Illinois Free-Net Japan has successfully launched its new rocket, the H-II. There was a launch delay of about 20 minutes when a boat was discovered too close to the launch area. No problems were encountered with the launch itself, and the primary payload, OREX, a reentry test vehicle, also seems to have worked fine. I'll post more details shortly. - Scott MacLaren Materials Research Lab University of Illinois maclaren@prairienet.org -- "An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it." -- James Michener, "Space"
390.80	OREX returns	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Fri Feb 04 1994 19:08`	95
	Article: 3708 From: clarinews@clarinet.com (UPI) Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.tw.space Subject: Japanese rocket completes mission Date: Thu, 3 Feb 94 22:53:06 PST TOKYO (UPI) -- The first made-in-Japan rocket successfully completed a two-hour space mission Friday delivering an unmanned prototype space shuttle into a circular orbit, the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) said. After one pass around the Earth at an altitude of 450 kilometers (270 miles), the experimental space shuttle named OREX splashed down as planned, 2 hours and 10 minutes after liftoff, about 460 kilometers (276 miles) south of Christmas Island in the mid-Pacific. The agency spent 270 billion yen ($2.5 billion) developing the H-2 rocket, which blasted off from Takegashima Space Center at 7:20 a.m. (local time), leaving a thick orange exhaust plume over the southern main island of Kyushu. The H-2 launch vehicle ``is a rocket of the highest standards comparable to the main rockets of the European nations and the United States,'' said NASDA President Masato Yamano. The H-2 ``has been entirely developed by Japanese technology and we are very proud of this fact.'' Japan has long been a laggard in aerospace due largely to prohibitions imposed by the U.S. occupation forces after World War II to prevent a resurgence of militarism. The rocket enters a launch-services market crowded by the United States, Europe, China and Russia. Many analysts expect the commercial satellite market to start cooling off by 1997, when the H-2 begins carrying commercial payloads. The lift-off was delayed for 20 minutes because a ship entered the area where the H-2's solid rocket boosters were to plunge down after the launch. The rocket released the cone-shaped OREX six minutes after the launch. It also delivered a 2.4-ton satellite into a high-altitude orbit, where it will circle the Earth for four days. ``Today's successful launch has proved the feasibility of the technology,'' Yamano said. ``We have achieved a major goal toward the establishment of a key transporation system for the promotion of diversified space development activities.'' The government stressed the H-2's non-military nature in response to speculation that Japan may use the technology to build military missiles. The rocket ``turned space from a theater for Soviet-U.S. military competition into a sphere of activity for people who want to give wings to peaceful dreams,'' said Science and Technology Agency Director Gen. Satsuki Eda. Japan's energy program relying on plutonium and its rocket development are devoted strictly to peaceful purposes, Eda said. Japan will ``pay careful attention'' so that international concerns over Tokyo's nuclear intentions need not arise, he added. The launch was originally set for Tuesday but was delayed because of bad weather and a faulty air duct that came loose. The two-stage launch vehicle was equipped with two large engines utilizing liquid oxygen and hydrogen and capable of carrying a single two-ton payload or multiple payloads into geostationary transfer orbit at an altitude of 22,400 miles (36,000 km), NASDA officials said. The first-stage engine, modeled on the U.S. space shuttle engine, is one of the most sophisticated engines in the world, they said. The rocket was developed by Rocket Systems Corp. (RSC), a consortium of more than 70 companies led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Problems that included two engine explosions -- one of which killed an engineer -- plagued the development of the rocket. As a result the cost of launching the H-2 soared compared with 11 billion yen ($100 million) for the launching of the European space agency's Ariane rocket. In August 1991, a prototype engine blew up at a Mitsubishi factory, killing the engineer. A second engine exploded in June 1992. Mitsubishi officials blamed the blasts on welding problems on engine pipes. Japan has built and launched rockets since 1975, but all depended at least partly on U.S. technology.
390.81	OREX == Prototype Shuttle ... NOT!	LHOTSE::DAHL		`Fri Feb 04 1994 19:54`	16
	RE: <<< Note 390.80 >>> >From: clarinews@clarinet.com (UPI) > TOKYO (UPI) -- The first made-in-Japan rocket successfully >completed a two-hour space mission Friday delivering an unmanned >prototype space shuttle into a circular orbit, the National Space >Development Agency (NASDA) said. OREX is hardly a prototype space shuttle! It's a simple object to test thermal protection materials and concepts for an eventual shuttle. OREX bears no resemblence (visually, structurally, or in virtually any other way) to Japan's planned shuttle. I don't mean to harp, but NASDA'a calling OREX a prototype shuttle is being MUCH too generous to it. -- Tom
390.82	H-2 information	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Mon Feb 07 1994 21:57`	200
	From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 6-FEB-1994 03:31:49.43 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: NASDA H-II Information Outline of H-II launch Vehicle The H-II is designed to serve as NASDA's main space transportation system in the 1990's to meet the demand for larger satellite launches at a lower cost and still maintain a high degree of reliability. It is capable of sending a single two ton class payload or multiple payload totaling two tons onto geostationary orbit. the H-II is a two-stage rocket equipped with two large solid rocket boosters (SRBs) on the first stage for thrust augmentation First Stage The first stage of the H-II launch vehicle consists of the first stage core vehicle equipped with the LE-7 engine and two solid rocket booster (SRBs). The LE-7 engine is a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine with 86 tons of thrust (at sea level). The SRBs are polybutadiene composite solid propellant boosters with 159 tons of thrust each (at sea level). The guidance and control of the first stage is performed by the hydraulically steerable nozzles of the LE-7 engine and of the SRBs controlled by the Inertial Guidance Computer (IGC). Two auxiliary engines are also provide to contro attitude. Second Stage The second stage of the H-II launch vehicle is equipped with the LE-5A liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine. The LE-5A engine is an improved LE-5 engine (developed for the second stage of the H-I launch vehicle) and provides 12 tons of thrust (in vaccum). The guidance and control of the second stage is performed by the hydraulically steerable nozzle of the LE-5A engine and the reaction control system controlled by the IGC. Guidance and Control System The H-II launch vehicle employs a strapped-down inertial guidance an control system. The system consists of the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) which uses three ring laser gyros and the IGC. The inertial guidance and control system enables the H-II launch vehicle to correct errors auto- matically and to maintain the planned orbit without commands from the ground station. Payload Fairing The payload fairing protects the payload from the severe launch environment and from contamination on the ground. Principal specification of the H-II Overall length 50 Diameter 4 Total mass 260t (payload not included) Guidance system Strapped-down inertial guidance system Outline of Orbital Re-entry Experiment (OREX) The OREX flight experiment is part of the research for the H-II Orbiting Plane (HOPE). Its purposes are to contribute to HOPE development by accumulating experience in designing and producing a re-entry vehicle and acquiring re-entry data which is difficult to acquire in ground experiments. The OREX vehicle will be launched and inserted into orbit by H-II rocket. It will then re-enter the atmosphere after one revolution. The vehicle will collect experimental data during re-entry, transmit it after re-entry, and splash down in the Central Pacific Ocean. The OREX project is being conducted in cooperation with the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL). Shape: Blunt-cone shape, Nose radius 1.35m, Diameter 3.40m, Height 1.46m Weight: Approx. 865kg at launch, Approx. 761kg at re-entry The OREX vehicle will be launched at 7:00 AM on February 1, 1994 (JST). Outline of Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP) The VEP is planned to be dual-launched with the OREX Vehicle by the first H-II rocket in the winter of 1994. The purpose of the VEP is to measure orbital parameters of injection by the H-II rocket and mechanical environment at launch. Weight: Approx. 2.4t Source: NASDA ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 6-FEB-1994 03:31:45.56 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II status >From NASDA Press Release: POSTPONEMENT OF LAUNCH DATE OF H-II LAUNCH VEHICLE TEST FLIGHT NO.1 02:30 PM (JST) January 31, 1994 NASDA H-II TF#1 LAUNCH TEAM Due to the weather condition which may interfere with the launch of H-II Test Flight No.1, the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) changes the date of the launch from February 1, 1994 to on or after February 2, 1994 (JST). Depending on the weather condition, the final decision will be announced as soon as possible. -------- >From NASDA Press Release: LAUNCH DATE OF THE H-II LAUNCH VEHICLE TEST FLIGHT NO.1 08:15 AM (JST) February 1, 1994 NASDA H-II TF#1 LAUNCH TEAM NASDA scheduled to launch the H-II Launch Vehicle Test Flight No.1 (H-II TF#1) on or after February 2, 1994 (JST). NASDA will launch the H-II TF#1 at 07:00 AM (JST=UTC+9h) on February 3, 1994 as the weather seems to improve on that day. The launch window is during 07:00 AM to 09:00 AM. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 6-FEB-1994 03:31:43.79 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II GIF soon [These GIFs that match the descriptions here should be on explorer.arc.nasa.gov in the pub/SPACE/GIF directory. -PEY] ------ H2.TXT Outline of H-II Launch Vehicle The H-II is designed to serve as NASDA's main space transportation system in the 1990's to meet the demand for larger satellite launches at a lower cost and still maintain a high degree of reliability. It is capable of sending a single two ton class payload or multiple payloads totaling two tons into geostationary orbit. The H-II is a two-stage rocket equipped with two large solid rocket boosters (SRBs) on the first stage for thrust augmentation. Source and Photo Credit: NASDA ----- VEP.TXT Outline of Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP) The VEP is planned to be dual-launched with the OREX Vehicle by the first H-II rocket in the winter of 1994. The purpose of the VEP is to measure orbital parameters of injection by the H-II rocket and mechanical environment at launch. Source and Photo Credit: NASDA ---- OREX.TXT Outline of Orbital Re-entry Experiment (OREX) The OREX flight experiment is part of the research for the H-II Orbiting Plane (HOPE). Its purposes are to contribute to HOPE development by accumulating experience in designing and producing a re-entry vehicle and acquiring re-entry data which is difficult to acquire in ground experiments. The OREX vehicle will be launched and inserted into orbit by H-II rocket. It will then re-enter the atmosphere after one revolution. The vehicle will collect experimental data during re-entry, transmit it after re-entry, and splash down in the Central Pacific Ocean. The OREX project is being conducted in cooperation with the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL). The OREX vehicle will be launched at 7:00 AM on February 1, 1994 (JST). Source and Photo Credit: NASDA ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.83	Names and orbit info	VERGA::KLAES	Quo vadimus?	`Tue Feb 15 1994 15:20`	35
	From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 15-FEB-1994 02:05:24.43 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: VEP and OREX Correction (from NASDA): "MYOJO" (VEP) is used in English-language releases (not "MYOUZYOU" ). And OREX was named "RYUSEI" (means meteor in Japanese). ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 15-FEB-1994 02:05:37.90 To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II information VEP (named "MYOUZYOU" after entering in orbit, which means "the morning (evening) star, that is alias of "KINSEI" (Venus) in Japan orbit: Epoch 49386.95012731 MJD i=28.606 deg, Hapog=36261.3 km, Hperig=449.0 km, Period=645.2 km (data by NASDA) ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.84	ETS-VI/H-II second flight on August 17	MTWAIN::KLAES	Houston, Tranquility Base here...	`Fri Jul 08 1994 14:48`	43
	From: US4RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 8-JUL-1994 07:59:26.98 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: Schedule of the launch operation of ETS-VI/H-II second flight >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: SCHEDULE OF THE LAUNCH OPERATION OF ETS-VI/H-II SECOND FLIGHT June 20, 1994 NASDA HQ, Tokyo National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will conduct the flight readiness of the Engineering Test Satellite VI (ETS-VI) by the H-II second vehicle to target to launch on August 17, 1994, at Tanegashima Space Center. The detail schedule is as follows: June 23, 1994 Rocket movement to the Pad Service Tower (PST). The rocket constructed on the movable launch pad in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) will move about 500 meters away to the PST at the Yoshinobu Launch Site July 22 Cryogenic Flow Test Tanegashima Space Center in all August 6 Movement of the Payload Fairing to the PST and Attachment of the ETS-VI to the vehicle at the Yoshinobu Launch Site August 14 Start of the Count-Down (Y-3) August 17 Launch day ---- Provided by NASDA Public Relations Office, Tokyo. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.85	H-II launch abort	MTWAIN::KLAES	No Guts, No Galaxy	`Tue Aug 23 1994 19:31`	30
	Article: 3143 From: jbh55289@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Josh Hopkins) Newsgroups: sci.space.tech Subject: H-II launch abort Date: 21 Aug 1994 00:35:19 GMT Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana I just got off the phone with a friend who has good connections in Japan. He sent off a summary of the recent H-II launch abort to s.s.news. It's been slow in showing up so I thought I'd post some info here in the meantime. As some people may have already heard, the attempted second launch of Japan's H-II was aborted a few days ago. The mission was to have carried the ETS-6 expermiental technology satellite. Launch countdown went exactly as planned right up to liftoff, with the LE-7 engine working perfectly. However, the two solid rocket boosters both failed to ignite, so the rocket did not actually lift off the pad. The engineers are happily pointing out that the LE-7, which has been having problems in tests, worked fine. The flip side is that having both solids fail to ignite is very embarassing (though having only one ignite would have been more so). It is very easy to ignite a solid booster, so the odds of having two hardware failures seem rather low. -- Josh Hopkins jbh55289@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu Irrelevant trivia for the day: In 1993 Americans spent almost identical amounts of money on sunglasses, box office movie tickets, and the space station.
390.86	H-2 rocket launched Kiku 6 on August 28	MTWAIN::KLAES	No Guts, No Galaxy	`Thu Sep 01 1994 17:30`	302
	From: US1RMC::"yamada@spaceb.ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 1-SEP-1994 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II ETS-VI lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center aboard an H-II, August 28 at 16:50 JST (= 07:50 UTC). As is customary with Japanese launches, the satellite was renamed, KIKU 6. "Kiku" means chrysanthemum in Japanese. Sources: Aug. 28/29 TV news and papers. Yoshiro Yamada Astron. Sect., Yokohama Science Center yamada@ysc.go.jp From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 1-SEP-1994 03:50:03.04 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II launch Sorry. I confused calendar year with the fiscal year in Japan. The first launch of H-II was Feb. 1994 not 1993. (last two H-II GIFs) Yoshiro ETS-VI/H-II LAUNCH VEHICLE TEST FLIGHT NO.2 RE-SCHEDULING --------------------------------------------------------- 11:50 AM (JST) August 15, 1994 NASDA H-II TF#2 LAUNCH TEAM The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been conducting the launch operation of the ETS-VI/H-II Launch Vehicle Test Flight No. 2 (RTS-VI/H-II TF#2) to the launched during 04:40 PM through 07:00 PM on August 17, 1994 (JST). Because a regulator valve of the first-stage propulsion system to control pressure of ambient Helium does not work normally, it is necessary to change the regulator valve and to confirm that function. Therefore the launch time was re-scheduled during the same launch window as before on August 18, 1994 * Source: NASDA PRESS RELEASE ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 1-SEP-1994 03:50:52.84 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II >From NASDA PRESS RELEASE: RE-SCHEDULING OF THE LAUNCH OF ETS-VI/H-II TF#2 ----------------------------------------------- August 19, 1994 NASDA ETS-VI/H-II TF#2 Launch Operation TEAM This is the announcement of The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) that several days are required to change parts of the Count Down Sequencer (ground equipment), which was the cause of the suspending the launch of the H-II Launch Vehicle Test Flight No. 2 (H-II TF#2) with the Engineering Test Satellite-VI (ETS-VI) on August 18, and to investigate the system. Furthermore all propulsion system will be tested again. The new launch date is scheduled on August 28, 1994. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 1-SEP-1994 03:51:01.92 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II (correction) ETS-VI/H-II LAUNCH VEHICLE TEST FLIGHT NO.2 RE-SCHEDULING --------------------------------------------------------- 11:50 AM (JST) August 15, 1994 NASDA H-II TF#2 LAUNCH TEAM The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been conducting the launch operation of the ETS-VI/H-II Launch Vehicle Test Flight No. 2 (ETS-VI/H-II TF#2) to the launched during 04:40 PM through 07:00 PM ^ on August 17, 1994 (JST). Because a regulator valve of the first-stage propulsion system to control pressure of ambient Helium does not work normally, it is necessary to change the regulator valve and to confirm that function. Therefore the launch time was re-scheduled during the same launch window as before on August 18, 1994 * Source: NASDA PRESS RELEASE ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \| From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 1-SEP-1994 03:52:11.23 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II second launch info 1.Overview of the H-II Launch Vehicle 1.1 Purpose, particulars and development plan The National Space Development Agency of Japan(NASDA) has developed and launched the N-I, N-II, H-I and H-II launch vehicles, all capable of launching spacecrafts. The N-I is a three-stage vehicle capable of putting a 130-kg payload into geostationary orbit. The N-I launch vehicle was developed to have launch capability for medium-altitude as well as geostationary satellites. NASDA succeeded in launching the Engineering Test Satellite I (ETS-I) called "Kiku" on September 9, 1975. A total of seven satellites were launched between 1975 and 1982. Based on the technology obtained from the N-I launch vehicles, the N-II was developed for practical use in launching satellites. The N-II is a three-stage vehicle with a capability of launching a 350-kg geostationary satellite. NASDA succeeded in launching the Engineering Test Satellite IV (ETS-IV) called "Kiku-3" on February 11, 1981. A total of eight satellites were launched between 1981 and 1986. The H-I launch vehicle was developed to meet the growing needs to launch larger satellites as well as to improve vehicle performance by using independent Japanese technology. The H-I is a three-stage vehicle capable of launching a 550-kg geostationary satellite. NASDA succeeded in launching the Experimental Geodetic Satellite (EGS) called "Ajisai" on August 31, 1986. A total of 13 satellites (including shared payloads) were put into operation with nine launch vehicles between 1986 and 1992. The H-II launch vehicle has been developed to meet the demands for larger spacecraft launching in the 1990's. The H-II is a two-stage vehicle capable of delivering a 2-ton class satellite into geostationary orbit. Its basic configuration, target performance and development plan were approved by the Space Activities Commission (SAC) in 1984. Following its preliminary development tests in 1985, NASDA commenced its actual development in 1986. The initial goal of development was to launch the first H-II launch vehicle in 1991. The basic policies of development are as follows: first H-II launch vehicle in 1991. The basic policies of development are as follows: (1) Develop the launch vehicle with autonomous Japanese space technology. (2)Reduce both development period and costs by utilizing developed technologies to a maximum extent. (3)Develop a vehicle able to be launched with the current site conditions of Tanegashima Space Center. (4)Use design criteria that allows sufficient performance for both the main systems and subsystems. Ensure that development will be carried out properly, taking safety into account. Development of the first-and second-stage structures, second-stage engine (LE-5A), solid rocket boosters (SRBs), payload fairing and onboard electronic equipment proceeded satisfactorily. However, it turned out that more advanced technology was required for development of the main engine (LE-7) for the first stage. Therefore, the development plan was reconsidered in 1989 and 1992, and launch of the first H-II was rescheduled from the originally planned year of 1991 to the winter of 1993. Between 1991 and 1992, ground system tests were carried out using the H-II ground-test vehicle to "confirm the overall functions of the vehicle" and "confirm consisitency between the vehicle and ground facilities and the launch operation procedures." From 1992 to 1993, captive firing tests for the first-stage engine were carried out to "confirm consistency between the LE-7 engine and the first-stage propellant feed systems and their functions." After that, final tests for qualificaton of the LE-7 were completed satisfactorily, and NASDA commenced launch processing for the first H-II test vehicle at Tanegashima Space Center in October 1993.The first launch was made at 7:20 AM on February 4, 1994, successfully placing the Orbital Re-entry Experiment (OREX) and the Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP) into the planned orbits. 4.Engineering Test Satellite-VI(ETS-VI) 4.1 Outline of ETS-VI The purpose of the Engineering Test Satellite-VI(ETS-VI) is to establish bus technology for large-scale geostationary three-axis stabilized satellites necessary for the development of future application satellites as well as to develop advanced satellite communications technologies such as fixed satellite communications mobile satellite communications and intersatellite communications. It is slated for launch from the Tanegashima Space Center by the second H-II test vehicle on August 17, 1994. ETS-VI was started its preliminary design in 1987 and, after having the system proto-flight tests at the Tsukuba Space Center, was moved into the Tanegashima Space Cneter in March 1994. ETS-VI features one of the leading large-scale satellites in the world in terms of technology and on-board payload capacity, etc.. After the launch, it will be kept in geostationary orbit at the Longitude 153.8 deg East. Three-month checking of the satellite functions will be made before it starts a mission operation. 4.2 Objectives of ETS-VI Major objectives of ETS-VI are as follows. (1)Establishment of bus technology for large-scale geostationary three-axis stabillized satellite. -to establish the technological base necessary for realizing 2-ton-class geostationary three-axis stabilized application satellites in the 1990's and at the beginning of the 21st century. (2)Development of advanced satellite communications technologies and their experiments in orbit. -development and orbital experiments of highly advanced satellite communications technologies such as intersatellite communications, fixed and mobile satellite communications, supporting the future information-oriented society as well as a wide range of human activities in space. (3)Development of bus experimental equipment and its experiment in orbit. -to conduct experiment of bus equipment in space, such as nickel-hydrogen battery and electrothermal hydrazine thruster which will be useful for future large-scale spacecraft. 4.3 Feature of ETS-VI (1)large-scale payload capability (2)ion engine for north-south staion keeping (3)bipropellant apogee engine (4)high precision and fault tolerance in attitude control system (5)a number of on-board experimental equipment (6)advanced satellite communications equipment (7)large capacity of electric power (8)long life and high reliability design 4.4 Configuration and Characteristics 4.4.1 System Sumary and Major Characteristics ETS-VI is a large-scale satellite equipped with solar array paddles on the north and south sides of its rectangular body (3.0 mA~2.0 mA~2.8m ),an antenna tower on the Earth-oriented panel, main reflectors with aperture diameters of 3.5 m and 2.5 m for the fixed and mobile satellite communication experiment, a phased array antenna for S-band intersatellite communication, a K-band intersatellite communication antenna mounted on two-axis gimbals within platform, and laser communications equipment. The satellite body is divided into a 2 m high mission module on the top(the antenna side) that carries the experimental equipment such as the transponder, and a 0.8 m high bus bay at the bottom that carries the bus equipment. One pair of ion engines used for north-south station keeping of the satellite is installed on each of the east and west sides. At launch, a liquid apogee propulsion subsystem module is mounted on the bottom side of the satellite body, but it is separated from the satellite body after injection into drift orbit. ETS-VI, which will be kept in geostationary orbit, has a large shape, measuring 30 m in the north-south direction, 9.3 m in the east-west direction, and 7.8 m in the Earth direction, with an initial weight in orbit of about 2 tons. All typed by Reiko Shindo, YSC Source: NASDA H-II Launch Vehicle No. 2 - Press Kit, August 1994. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|
390.87	Apogee motor failed	skylab.zko.dec.com::FISHER	25 Years Ago: Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed.	`Thu Sep 01 1994 23:56`	8
	While the H-II apparently worked perfectly, it seems that the satellite's Apogee motor failed to work. They tried twice, and then declared that Apogee motor a failure. I don't know if the satellite is usable in its current orbit for anything at all. (Report from the Auckland Times, Auckland NZ). Burns
390.88	RE 390.87	MTWAIN::KLAES	No Guts, No Galaxy	`Wed Sep 07 1994 22:42`	55
	From: US1RMC::"yamada@ysc.go.jp" "Yoshiro Yamada" 2-SEP-1994 06:11:55.26 To: usenet-space-news@arc.nasa.gov CC: Subj: H-II >From NASDA Press Release: August 31, 1994 NASDA HQ, TOKYO The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) launched the Engineering Test Satellite-VI (ETS-VI) by the H-II Launch Vehicle Test Flight No. 2 from NASDA Tanegashima Space Center on August 28, 1994. NASDA conducted the apogee engine firing at 02:19 PM on August 31 (JST) to change the orbit of the ETS-VI. However, the thrust level of the apogee engine firing was much smaller than expected and the condition of the apogee engine was not recovered in spite of the following recovery efforts. NASDA abandoned the satellite injection into the geostationary orbit. Though the original experimental plan can not be attained, NASDA will take every possible measures to make several experiments available in the transfer orbit to verify the bus technology for large-scale satellite and the advanced satellite communications technologies. Furthermore, NASDA will make a thorough investigation of the cause of the trouble. ------- September 1, 1994 NASDA HQ, TOKYO NASDA made a successful separation of Liquid Apogee Propulsion Subsystem (LAPS) of ETS-VI, which failed to change the orbit from the transfer to the geostationary, at 00:10 AM on September 1, 1994 (JST) by a command from NASDA's Tracking and Control Station in Goldstone, CA. The condition of the satellite is normal after LAPS separation. The orbit determination is as follows: Apogee Altitude: 38,715 km Perigee Altitude: 7,791 km Orbit Inclination: 13.1 degree Period: 14 Hours 06 Minutes Schedule of events hereafter such as full deployment of Solar Array Paddles, Deployment of Antenna, three-axis stabilization, etc. will be announced as soon as possible. ------------------- Yoshiro Yamada \| tel : +81-45-832-1166 Astronomy Section \| fax : +81-45-832-1161 Yokohama Science Center \| e-mail : yamada@ysc.go.jp 5-2-1 Yokodai Isogo-ku \| Yokohama 235, JAPAN \|