Previous Month   |   Next Month

April 29, 2006 Updated

Daichi's latest observation data on Mount Merapi, Indonesia

The Advanced Land Observing Satellite "Daichi," which was launched by the H-IIA launch vehicle in January 2006, made observations of Mount Merapi in Java, the Republic of Indonesia, on April 29 as it had shown signs of volcanic activity. The image data was also provided to the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters."

- Press Release
- Satellite Navigator
- Earth Observation Center
- Earth Observation Research and application Center

April 14, 2006 Updated

"Akari" ready for observations

JAXA has been carefully carrying out initial operations of the first Japanese infrared astronomy satellite "Akari," which was launched on Feb. 22, after we were not able to use the two-dimensional solar sensor, which is part of the attitude control sensor. In the afternoon of April 14, JAXA successfully removed the cover (aperture lid) of the telescope, and that marked the completion of major post-launch initial events. Both the power generation and attitude of the satellite are stable, and the observation system is also working normally. Professor Hiroshi Murakami, the Project Manager, commented, "We are barely at the start line for observation operations. I hope that everybody is looking forward to the observation results." The first observation results will be released in mid May.

Akari: Removal of the Cover of the Telescope and Operation Schedule (Press Release)
Infrared Imaging Satellite "AKARI"(ASTRO-F)

April 10, 2006 Updated

ETS-VIII: Deployment test of the reflector surface of the LDR

JAXA carried out a deployment test for the reflector surface of the Large-scale deployable antenna reflectors (LDR) of the Engineering Test Satellite (ETS-VIII) on April 7 in Tokyo. The ETS-VIII is scheduled to be launched in Japanese Fiscal Year 2006. The LDR is the largest deployable antenna in the world.

The ETS-VIII is equipped with two units of LDRs, and one unit composed of 14 modules, each of which is hexagonal like an umbrella.

The LDR will be neatly folded to about 1 meter in diameter and 4meters in length when it is loaded on top of the launch vehicle, but it is about 19 m * 17 m when deployed. Molybdenum and gold plated materials are used to reinforce the mesh reflector surface for lighter weight so that it can withstand in the harsh temperature changes in space. In addition cables are stitched for further support.

Photos:
  Top: Reflectors being deployed
  Bottom: Reflector surface of the LDR after deployment

Engineering Test Satellite VIII (ETS-VIII)