ASTRO-EII final spurt before launch
Thu May 26, 2005 at 20:09 UTC
The ASTRO-EII satellite is in the final phase before its launch from the Uchinoura Space Center, located in the Osumi Peninsula in east Kagoshima. The satellite left Sagamihara Campus, where it was developed, in mid May, stopped by at the Tsukuba Space Center, and is expected to arrive at the Uchinoura Space Center on May 26. The satellite team are gradually making their way to Uchinoura with the satellite to carry out launch site operations for the launch scheduled on June 26.
The ASTRO-EII is an astronomy satellite to study space X-ray sources. It will observe various celestial objects including black holes, galaxies, novas and supernovas remnant. The ASTRO-EII project is an international mission led by JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. After its launch, the satellite will be operated as an in-orbit observatory available to various countries. The project is the result of cooperation among researchers mainly from Japanese and American universities and also from other countries. As the ASTRO-EII has the ability to elucidate radiation sources from X-rays, it is anticpated to mark various scientific achievements.
Image Credit: JAXA
The ASTRO-EII just before leaving Sagamihara Campus. The appearance is in a flight configuration. The satellite is equipped with five X-ray telescopes in the upper part that are protected by a white cover, and six detectors in the lower part. Solar array paddles that will be deployed in orbit are attached and fixed around the satellite. The golden sheets are insulation material to control the inside temperature of the satellite.
The ASTRO-EII is an astronomy satellite to study space X-ray sources. It will observe various celestial objects including black holes, galaxies, novas and supernovas remnant. The ASTRO-EII project is an international mission led by JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. After its launch, the satellite will be operated as an in-orbit observatory available to various countries. The project is the result of cooperation among researchers mainly from Japanese and American universities and also from other countries. As the ASTRO-EII has the ability to elucidate radiation sources from X-rays, it is anticpated to mark various scientific achievements.
Image Credit: JAXA
The ASTRO-EII just before leaving Sagamihara Campus. The appearance is in a flight configuration. The satellite is equipped with five X-ray telescopes in the upper part that are protected by a white cover, and six detectors in the lower part. Solar array paddles that will be deployed in orbit are attached and fixed around the satellite. The golden sheets are insulation material to control the inside temperature of the satellite.
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