HEAPOW: Unveiling Astro-H (2016 Jan 18)

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HEAPOW: Unveiling Astro-H (2016 Jan 18)

Post by bystander » Mon Jan 18, 2016 5:37 pm

Image HEAPOW: Unveiling Astro-H (2016 Jan 18)

A new view of the high energy universe will soon be obtained after the launch of an eagerly-awaited satellite observatory currently dubbed "Astro-H". Astro-H, pictured above during its unveiling to the press on November 27, 2015, is Japan's sixth X-ray astronomy mission, and it follows the recently completed mission of Japan's Suzaku X-ray Observatory. Astro-H is major international collaboration led by JAXA with over 70 contributing institutions in Japan, the US, Canada, and Europe. It will carry aloft four X-ray instruments: a Soft X-ray Imager, to provide images and X-ray spectra at relatively low X-ray energies; the Hard X-ray Imager, to provide images at energies up to 80 keV (complementing NASA's NuSTAR X-ray observatory); the Soft Gamma-ray Detector, which allows measurements of Gamma-Ray radiation; and the Soft X-ray Spectrometer, a much-anticipated instrument featuring an X-ray calorimeter which provides exceptionally high-resolution X-ray spectra by measuring the tiny temperature changes produced when an X-ray strikes an ultra-cold absorber. NASA contributed the Soft X-ray Spectrometer, and the X-ray mirrors used to produce the high-quality images of the high-energy Universe which Astro-H will obtain. Astro-H observations will help trace the growth of galaxies and their central supermassive black holes, probe material suffering the warped spacetime around spinning black holes and neutron stars, measure the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, and help show how black holes both accrete matter and expel extreme particle jets. Astro-H is currently scheduled to launch from Japan's Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center on February 12, 2016.

JAXA: ASTRO-H - New exploration X-ray Telescope
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Yale: Front-Row Seat for Astro-H

Post by bystander » Fri Feb 05, 2016 8:11 pm

Yale has a Front-Row Seat for a New, International Space Mission: Astro-H
Yale University | 2016 Feb 05
[img3="ASTRO-H X-ray Observatory. (Credit: JAXA)"]http://news.yale.edu/sites/default/file ... 1454622449[/img3][hr][/hr]
A new science satellite, the ASTRO-H X-ray Observatory, will blast into the cosmos this month with a full payload of Yale University expertise.

The project, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), aims to collect a wealth of new data on everything from the formation of galaxy clusters to the warping of space and time around black holes. ASTRO-H will launch Feb. 12 from the Tanegashima Space Center, with participation from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and research institutions around the world. ...

Many objects in deep space — including black holes, neutron stars, and galaxy clusters — emit X-rays as well as visible light; however, those X-rays have wavelengths that are 1,000 to 100,000 times shorter than visible light. The best way to study X-rays from deep space is to use an orbiting telescope, because Earth’s atmosphere blocks X-rays from reaching land-based telescopes.

ASTRO-H will maintain orbit near the equator and gather data for three years. It will be outfitted with an array of innovative technologies, including four telescopes, a soft X-ray spectrometer (SXS), a soft X-ray imaging system (SXI), a hard X-ray imaging system (HXI), and a soft gamma-ray detector (SGD). ...
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JAXA: Launch Time and Window of X-ray Astronomy Satellite ASTRO-H

Post by bystander » Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:47 pm

Launch Time and Window of X-ray Astronomy Satellite (ASTRO-H)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) | 2016 Feb 10

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are pleased to announce the launch time and launch window for the X-ray Astronomy Satellite (ASTRO-H) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 30 (H-IIA F30). ...

New X-ray Space Observatory to Study Black Holes and History of Galaxy Clusters
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Astro-H | 2016 Feb 10
[img3="This illustration shows the locations and energy ranges of ASTRO-H science instruments and their associated telescopes. One keV equals 1,000 electron volts, which is hundreds of times the energy of visible light. (Credits: JAXA/NASA GSFC)"]http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files ... bels_0.jpg[/img3][hr][/hr]
Black hole enthusiasts, galaxy cluster aficionados, and X-ray astronomers have much to be excited about. On Friday, Feb. 12, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will be launching their sixth satellite dedicated to X-ray astronomy, ASTRO-H, from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima, Japan. The observatory carries a state-of-the-art instrument and two telescope mirrors built at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The launch is scheduled at 3:45 a.m. EST.

ASTRO-H is expected to provide breakthroughs in a wide variety of high-energy phenomena in the cosmos, ranging from the superheated material on the brink of falling into a black hole to the evolution of vast galaxy clusters. It is equipped with four advanced instruments covering a broad energy range, from low-energy, or "soft," X-rays around 300 electron volts (eV) to soft gamma rays up to 600,000 eV. For comparison, the energy of visible light spans about 2 to 3 eV. ...

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JAXA: ASTRO-H (Hitomi) Successfully Launched, Solar Panels Deployed

Post by bystander » Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:42 pm

Launch Success of H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 30
with X-ray Astronomy Satellite (ASTRO-H) Onboard

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) | 2016 Feb 17

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 30 (H-IIA F30) with the X-ray Astronomy Satellite (ASTRO-H) onboard at 5:45 p.m. on February 17, 2016 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew as planned, and at approximately 14 minutes and 15 seconds after liftoff, the separation of ASTRO-H was confirmed. ...

X-ray Astronomy Satellite (ASTRO-H)
Solar Array Paddles Deployment and Name Decided

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) | 2016 Feb 17

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that the X-ray Astronomy Satellite (ASTRO-H) has deployed its solar array paddles (SAPs) normally through data transmitted from the satellite and received at the Uchinoura Ground Station at 5:45 p.m. on February 17, 2016. ASTRO-H was launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 30 from the Tahegashima Space Center at 5:45 p.m. on the same day. The satellite is currently in good health.

ASTRO-H is the eye to study the hot and energetic universe. Therefore we name ASTRO-H, “Hitomi”. The word Hitomi generally means “eye”, and specifically the pupil, or entrance window of the eye - the aperture! There is also an ancient legend that inspires the name Hitomi. ...
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JAXA: Hitomi Completes Critical Operation Phase

Post by bystander » Tue Mar 01, 2016 5:15 pm

X-ray Astronomy Satellite “Hitomi” (ASTRO-H)
Completion of Critical Operation Phase

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) | 2016 Feb 29

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed the completion of a sequence of important operations of the X-ray Astronomy Satellite “Hitomi” (ASTRO-H), including turning the cooling system on, test operation of the Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS), and extending the Extensible Optical Bench (EOB). With this confirmation, the critical operation phase(*1) of Hitomi was completed.

Hitomi is now in a stable condition. ...
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JAXA: Communication Failure of Hitomi

Post by bystander » Mon Mar 28, 2016 12:50 am

Communication failure of X-ray Astronomy Satellite “Hitomi” (ASTRO-H)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) | 2016 Mar 27

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) found that communication with the X-ray Astronomy Satellite “Hitomi” (ASTRO-H), launched on February 17, 2016 (JST), failed from the start of its operation originally scheduled at 16:40, Saturday March 26 (JST). Up to now, JAXA has not been able to figure out the state of health of the satellite.

While the cause of communication failure is under investigation, JAXA received short signal from the satellite, and is working for recovery. ...

Japan Loses Contact With New Space Telescope
National Geographic | 2016 Mar 27

On Saturday, Japan lost contact with its newest space telescope, called Hitomi or ASTRO-H. The telescope, which includes an instrument from NASA, was intended to study the high-energy universe in X-rays and gamma rays, and observe such objects as supermassive black holes and galaxy clusters.

Radar observations Sunday indicated that Hitomi, which launched on February 17, is in at least five pieces—and a plot of its orbit revealed a dramatic change on March 26, the date JAXA lost contact with the spacecraft. ...
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JAXA: Astro-H (Hitomi) Recovery Operations Cease

Post by bystander » Thu Apr 28, 2016 3:23 pm

Operation Plan of X-ray Astronomy Satellite ASTRO-H (Hitomi)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) | 2016 Apr 27

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) established the emergency headquarters led by President Okumura and has been doing its utmost to understand the anomaly of the X-ray Astronomy Satellite ASTRO-H (“Hitomi”). We have made every effort to confirm the status of ASTRO-H and to regain its functions. Unfortunately, based on our rigorous technical investigation, we had to conclude as follows.
  1. Most of our analyses including simulations on the mechanisms of object separation, it is highly likely that both solar array paddles had broken off at their bases where they are vulnerable to rotation.
  2. Originally, we had some hopes to restore communication with ASTRO-H since we thought we received signals from ASTRO-H three times after object separation. However, we had to conclude that the received signals were not from ASTRO-H due to the differences in frequencies as a consequence of technological study.
JAXA has also received information from several overseas organizations that indicated the separation of the two solar array paddles from ASTRO-H. Considering this information, we have determined that we cannot restore the ASTRO-H’s functions.

Accordingly, JAXA will cease the efforts to restore ASTRO-H and will focus on the investigation of anomaly causes. We will carefully review all phases from design, manufacturing, verification, and operations to identify the causes that may have led to this anomaly including background factors. ...
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Nature: Software error doomed Japanese Hitomi spacecraft

Post by bystander » Fri Apr 29, 2016 2:54 pm

Software error doomed Japanese Hitomi spacecraft
Nature News | 2016 Apr 28
[img3="Credit: Nature/JAXA"]http://www.nature.com/polopoly_fs/7.361 ... il2016.jpg[/img3][hr][/hr]
Space agency declares the astronomy satellite a loss.

Japan’s flagship astronomical satellite Hitomi, which launched successfully on 17 February but tumbled out of control five weeks later, may have been doomed by a basic engineering error. Confused about how it was oriented in space and trying to stop itself from spinning, Hitomi's control system apparently commanded a thruster jet to fire in the wrong direction — accelerating, rather than slowing, the craft's rotation.

On 28 April, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) declared the satellite, on which it had spent ¥31 billion (US$286 million), lost. At least ten pieces — including both solar-array paddles that had provided electrical power — broke off the satellite’s main body.

Hitomi had been seen as the future of X-ray astronomy. “It’s a scientific tragedy,” says Richard Mushotzky, an astronomer at the University of Maryland in College Park. ...
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Re: Nature: Software error doomed Japanese Hitomi spacecraft

Post by neufer » Fri Apr 29, 2016 2:57 pm

Where's Neil Armstrong when you need him :?:
Art Neuendorffer

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