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Japan and Astronomy

To date all Japanese astrophysics spacecraft have been developed under the auspices of the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science and consequently have been modest in size in order to be accommodated by the M-3 class of launch vehicles (Section 2.6). However, the four principal spacecraft, all devoted to X-ray astronomy, have been eminently successful: Corsa-B (Hakucho) in 1979, Astro-B(Tenma) in 1983, Astro-C (Ginga) in 1987, and Astro-D (Asuka) in 1993. The Astro-C mission was completed in November, 1991 and was followed 15 months later by Astro-D on 20 February 1993.

Astro-D


Muses-B

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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