Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
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Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (宇宙科学研究所 Uchū kagaku kenkyūjo?) (ISAS) was a Japanese national research organization of astrophysics using rockets, astronomical satellites and interplanetary probes.
In 2003, three national aerospace organizations including ISAS were merged to form Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The English name Institute of Space and Astronautical Science is still used, although the Japanese name was changed to 宇宙科学研究本部, (literally, Space Science Research Division, whereas the previous name's literal translation was Space Science Laboratory).
[edit] History
The ISAS originates in the Institute of Industrial Science of University of Tokyo, where Hideo Itokawa experimented miniature solid-fuel rockets (Pencil Rocket and Baby Rocket) in 1950s. It grew to the Κ (Kappa) sounding rocket, and used for observations for International Geophysical Year. By 1960, Κ-8 reached 200 km altitude.
In 1964, the rocket group and Institute of Aeronautics along with scientific ballooning team were merged to form Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (宇宙航空研究所 Uchū kōkū kenkyūjo?) within University of Tokyo. The rocket evolved to L (Lambda) series, and in 1970, L-4S-5 launched Japan's first artificial satellite Ohsumi.
Although Lambda rockets were sounding rocket, the next generation M (Mu) rockets were intended to be the satellite launch vehicle from start. From 1970, ISAS launched series of scientific satellites to observe ionosphere and magnetosphere. Since the launch of Hakucho in 1979, ISAS had X-ray astronomy satellites consecutively in orbit, until it was briefly terminated by the launch failure of ASTRO-E.
In 1981, as a part of university system reform, and for the mission expansion, ISAS was spun out from University of Tokyo as an inter-university national research organization, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science.
[edit] List of Satellites by ISAS (before establishment of JAXA)
| Launch date | Name before launch | Name after launch | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 11, 1970 | Ohsumi | Technology demonstration | |
| February 16, 1971 | MS-T1 | Tansei | Technology demonstration |
| September 28, 1971 | Shinsei | Ionosphere / cosmic-ray / solar-radio observation | |
| August 19, 1972 | REXS | Denpa | Ionosphere / magnetosphere observation |
| February 16, 1974 | MS-T2 | Tansei 2 | Technology experiment |
| February 24, 1975 | SRATS | Taiyo | Thermosphere and sun |
| February 19, 1977 | MS-T3 | Tansei 3 | Technology experiment |
| February 4, 1978 | EXOS-A | Kyokko | Aurora and ionosphere |
| September 16, 1978 | EXOS-B | Jikiken | Magnetosphere and thermosphere observation |
| February 21, 1979 | CORSA-b | Hakucho | X-ray astronomy |
| February 17, 1980 | MS-T4 | Tansei 4 | Technology experiment |
| February 21, 1981 | ASTRO-A | Hinotori | Solar X-ray observation |
| February 20, 1983 | ASTRO-B | Tenma | X-ray astronomy |
| February 14, 1984 | EXOS-C | Ohzora | Mesosphere observation |
| January 8, 1985 | MS-T5 | Sakigake | Technology experiment / Comet observation |
| August 19, 1985 | PLANET-A | Suisei | Comet observation |
| August 19, 1987 | ASTRO-C | Ginga | X-ray astronomy |
| February 22, 1989 | EXOS-D | Akebono | Aurora observation |
| January 24, 1990 | MUSES-A | Hiten | Interplanetary technology experiment |
| August 30, 1991 | SOLAR-A | Yohkoh | Solar X-ray observation (with NASA / UK) |
| July 24, 1992 | GEOTAIL | GEOTAIL | Magnetosphere observation (with NASA) |
| February 20, 1993 | ASTRO-D | ASCA | X-ray astronomy (with NASA) |
| March 18, 1995 | SFU | SFU | Multi-purpose experiment flyer (with NASDA / NEDO / USEF) |
| February 12, 1997 | MUSES-B | HALCA | Space VLBI technology development |
| July 4, 1998 | PLANET-B | Nozomi | Mars atmosphere observation |
| May 9, 2003 | MUSES-C | Hayabusa | Planetary sample return technology development |
