September 27, 2006 Updated
Micro-Lab Sat No. 1 operation completed
At 9:54 a.m. on September 27 (Japan Standard Time), the Micro-Lab Sat team started operations to terminate radio frequency links with the satellite. At 11:32 a.m., termination of radio frequency links was confirmed, and its mission operation was completed.The Micro-Lab Sat was launched as a piggyback by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 4 from the Tanegashima Space Center on Dec. 14, 2002, and its operation continued for three and half years, longer than its scheduled mission period.
By taking full advantage of the special features of the small satellite, easy handling and shorter development period, we were able to acquire precious experience such as using new technologies and nurturing young engineers. We will do our best to contribute to society by sharing our learning experience from the small satellite with the private sector.
September 23, 2006 Updated
M-V-7 successfully launched
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the M-V Launch Vehicle No. 7 (M-V-7) at 6:36 a.m. on September 23, 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC). JAXA started receiving signals from the SOLAR-B at 7:21 a.m. (JST) at the Santiago Station, and from those signals we verified that the SOLAR-B had successfully separated from the launch vehicle and its solar array paddles (PDL) had been normally deployed.
The in-orbit SOLAR-B was given a nickname of "Hinode" (meaning "sunrise.")
-Press Release
-Photo Archives
-SOLAR-B/M-V-7 Countdown Page
-Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
September 22, 2006 Updated
Time set for launch of SOLAR-B/M-V-7
The time for the SOLAR-B/M-V-7 launch scheduled on Sep. 23 (Sat) has been set at 6:36 a.m. (Japan Standard Time, JST.) The SOLAR-B aboard the M-V-7 is well prepared for launch as the launch rehearsal has been completed. The live broadcast of the SOLAR-B/M-V-7 launch is scheduled between 5:30 and 7:00 a.m. (JST) on the launch day.
September 21, 2006 Updated
SOLAR-B/M-V-7 Launch Rehearsal Completed
During the night of Sep. 19, a launch rehearsal was carried out following the actual launch process in the same way as on the launch day to confirm the schedule and operation of all equipment. At the pitch dark launch site, the launch assembly tower, which stores the launch vehicle, and the antennas were lit up, and the rehearsal was completed after the rocket launcher angle was set. The launch is scheduled for Sep. 23 (Sat), and the live broadcast of the SOLAR-B/M-V-7 launch is scheduled to start at 5:30 a.m.(JST) on the launch day.September 19, 2006 Updated
M-V-7 appears from the Launch Assembly Tower
After completing the operational test for the launcher angle setting on Sep. 16, the M-V Launch Vehicle No.7, scheduled to be launched on September 23, 2006, came out from the Launch Assembly Tower. Launch preparations are progressing smoothly. Local people made and presented a thousand origami paper cranes praying for the success of the launch.