Approaching the Infinite Mysteries of Space - The Achievements and Future of Japan's Astronomy Satellites -
For centures, we have thought that the stars that shine brightly in the night sky hold the keys to the mysteries of the universe. Some 400 years ago, Galileo, the Italian physicist and father of modern astronomy, first aimed a telescope at the sky. Since then, the technology of astronomy has sky-rocketed. Today's astronomers can observe celestial bodies not only with visible light but also with radio waves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays, all of which reveal different aspects of the universe. Telescopes on board astronomy satellites in space provide a clear picture of the distant universe, without interference from our atmosphere. Yet the mysteries of the universe are never ending. Today, scientists around the world are investigating the origins of the universe and of life itself. Japan's 11 astronomical satellites have established our country as a leader in space astronomy. TAIYO (SRATS), launched in 1975, was Japan's first solar observation satellite, and HAKUCHO (CORSA-B), launched in 1979, was our first astronomy satellite. Today JAXA has three leading-edge missions: Suzaku (ASTRO-EII), AKARI (ASTRO-F), and HINODE (SOLAR-B), and a fourth, ASTRO-G, scheduled to launch in 2012.

The Universe Viewed in X-rays ? Kazuhisa Mitsuta Project Manager,X-ray Astronomy Satellite Suzaku

Infrared Exploration of Cold Space Hiroshi Murakami Project Manager,Infrared Astronomical Satellite AKARI

The Sun: Uncovering New Features of Our Closest Star Toshifumi Shimizu Project Scientist,Solar Physics Satellite HINODE

We want to see the true images of active galactic nuclei.Masato Tsuboi Project Scientist,Radio-Astronomical Satellite ASTRO-G