Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (宇宙科学研究所, Uchū kagaku kenkyūjo) (ISAS) is a Japanese national research organization of astrophysics using rockets, astronomical satellites and interplanetary probes which played a major role in Japan's space development. Since 2003, it is a division of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).[2]

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
宇宙科学研究所  (Japanese)
Uchū kagaku kenkyūjo
Agency overview
AbbreviationISAS
JurisdictionJapan
HeadquartersSagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Primary spaceportUchinoura Space Center
Employees353 (FY2018)
Annual budget¥13.5 billion (FY2018)[1]
(US$ 0.12 billion)
Websitewww.isas.jaxa.jp/e/index.shtml

History

Entrance to the ISAS Sagamihara Campus

The ISAS originated as part of the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo, where Hideo Itokawa experimented with miniature solid-fuel rockets (Pencil Rocket and Baby Rocket) in the 1950s. This experimentation eventually led to the development of the Κ (Kappa) sounding rocket, which was used for observations during the International Geophysical Year. By 1960, the Κ-8 rocket had reached an altitude of 200 km.

In 1964, the rocket group and the 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 the University of Tokyo. The rocket evolved into the L (Lambda) series, and, in 1970, L-4S-5 was launched as Japan's first artificial satellite Ohsumi.

Although Lambda rockets were only sounding rockets, the next generation of M (Mu) rockets was intended to be satellite launch vehicles from the start. Beginning in 1971, ISAS launched a series of scientific satellites to observe the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Since the launch of Hakucho in 1979, ISAS has 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.

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). In 2010, the name was changed back to the previous Uchū kagaku kenkyūjo (宇宙科学研究所).

List of spacecraft by ISAS

Before establishment of JAXA

Launch dateName before launchName after launchMission
February 11, 1970OhsumiTechnology demonstration
February 16, 1971MS-T1TanseiTechnology demonstration
September 28, 1971MS-F2ShinseiIonosphere / cosmic-ray / solar-radio observation
August 19, 1972REXSDenpaIonosphere / magnetosphere observation
February 16, 1974MS-T2Tansei 2Technology experiment
February 24, 1975SRATSTaiyoThermosphere and sun
February 19, 1977MS-T3Tansei 3Technology experiment
February 4, 1978EXOS-AKyokkoAurora and ionosphere
September 16, 1978EXOS-BJikikenMagnetosphere and thermosphere observation
February 21, 1979CORSA-bHakuchoX-ray astronomy
February 17, 1980MS-T4Tansei 4Technology experiment
February 21, 1981ASTRO-AHinotoriSolar X-ray observation
February 20, 1983ASTRO-BTenmaX-ray astronomy
February 14, 1984EXOS-COhzoraMesosphere observation
January 8, 1985MS-T5SakigakeTechnology experiment / Comet observation
August 19, 1985PLANET-ASuiseiComet observation
August 19, 1987ASTRO-CGingaX-ray astronomy
February 22, 1989EXOS-DAkebonoAurora observation
January 24, 1990MUSES-AHitenInterplanetary technology experiment
August 30, 1991SOLAR-AYohkohSolar X-ray observation (with NASA / UK)
July 24, 1992GEOTAILGEOTAILMagnetosphere observation (with NASA)
February 20, 1993ASTRO-DASCAX-ray astronomy (with NASA)
March 18, 1995SFUSFUMulti-purpose experiment flyer (with NASDA / NEDO / USEF)
February 12, 1997MUSES-BHALCASpace VLBI technology development
July 4, 1998PLANET-BNozomiMars atmosphere observation
May 9, 2003MUSES-CHayabusaPlanetary sample return technology development

After establishment of JAXA

Launch dateName before launchName after launchMission
July 10, 2005ASTRO-EIISuzakuX-ray astronomy
August 24, 2005INDEXReimeiTechnology / Aurora research
February 21, 2006ASTRO-FAkariInfrared astronomy
September 22, 2006SOLAR-BHinodeSolar observation
September 14, 2007SELENEKaguyaLunar orbiter
May 20, 2010PLANET-CAkatsukiVenus atmosphere observation
September 14, 2013SPRINT-AHisakiEUV observation
December 3, 2014Hayabusa2Hayabusa2Asteroid sample return
February 17, 2016ASTRO-HHitomiX-ray astronomy
December 20, 2016ERGAraseMagnetosphere research
20 October 2018
(in transit)
MMOMioExploration of Mercury as part of the BepiColombo mission with ESA

Future missions

Planned launch dateNameMission
2022XRISMX-ray astronomy
2022SLIMLunar landing demonstration
2022JUICEGanymede exploration (with ESA / NASA)
2024DESTINY+Near Earth objects multi-flyby
2024MMXPhobos sample return
2024JASMINEInfrared astrometry
2025Solar-C_EUVSTSolar observation
2027LiteBIRDCMB astronomy
2028ATHENAX-ray astronomy (with ESA / NASA)
SPICAInfrared astronomy (with ESA)

See also

References

  1. "Annual Report of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science". 2018. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. ISSN 2423-8627. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. "JAXA History". JAXA Official Website (English). Retrieved February 21, 2013.
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