Arase (satellite)
Mission type | Astronomy |
---|---|
Operator | JAXA |
COSPAR ID | 2016-080A |
SATCAT no. | 41896 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | SPRINT |
Launch mass | ~350 kg |
Power | ≧700 W |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 11:00:00, December 20, 2016 (UTC) |
Rocket | Epsilon |
Launch site | Uchinoura |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Perigee | ~460 km |
Apogee | ~32110 km |
Inclination | ~31 degrees |
Period | ~565 minutes |
Instruments | |
|
Arase, formerly known as Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG), is a scientific satellite to study the Van Allen belts. It was developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of JAXA.
It was launched aboard Epsilon launch vehicle at 11:00:00, 20 December 2016 UTC into apogee height 32250 km, perigee 214 km orbit. Subsequent perigee-up operation moved its orbit to apogee 32110 km, perigee 460 km of 565 minutes period.[1]
Spacecraft
The Arase spacecraft is the second satellite based on SPRINT bus, after Hisaki (SPRINT-A). Arase weighs about 350 kg, measures about 1.5 m × 1.5 m × 2.7 m at launch.[2] Once in orbit, it will extend four solar panels, two 5 m masts, and four 15 m wire antennae.[2] The spacecraft is spin-stabilized at 7.5 rpm (8 seconds).[2]
Planned mission duration is one year of scientific observation, with extension if possible.[2]
Launch
Arase's launch on the enhanced Epsilon's maiden flight was originally scheduled for 2015, but was postponed to the 2016 financial year due to satellite development delays.[3]
Instruments
Arase carries following instruments:[2]
- XEP-e (Extremely high-energy electron sensor)[4]
- HEP-e (High-energy particle sensor - electron)
- MEP-e (Medium-energy particle sensor - electron)
- LEP-e (Low-energy particle sensor - electro)
- MEP-i (Medium-energy particle - ion)
- LEP-i (Low-energy particle - ion)
- MGF (Magnetic Field Experiment)
- PWE (Plasma Wave Experiment)
- S-WPIA (Software Wave-Particle Interaction Analyzer)
MGF is located at the end of 5 m extended mast.[2]
PWE consists of a search coil (PWE-MSC) located at the end of another 5 m extended mast, four 15 m wire antennae (PWE-WPT), and associated electronics unit (PWE-E).[2]
S-WPIA will analyze the data obtained by other instruments.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ ジオスペース探査衛星「あらせ」(ERG)の軌道変更運用(近地点高度上昇)の完了について (in Japanese). JAXA. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 プレスキット/2016年11月18日(木) (PDF) (in Japanese). November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ Shogo Matsuda (16 January 2015). "Japan's Epsilon rocket shoved aside?". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
- ↑ "Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG)". JAXA. 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
External links
- Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace "ERG", JAXA
- Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace ERG, ISAS/JAXA
- The ERG satellite on YouTube by JAXA
- ERG Science Center