Update: The U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Space Operations Center has indicated that Astro-H has broken up. Update: Analysis shows ASTRO H breakup occurred 26Mar @ 0142z+/- 11mins. JSpOC confirmed breakup @ 0820z. @JAXA_en @SpaceTrackOrg — JSpOC (@JointSpaceOps) March 28, 2016 Original story: The Japanese Space Agency, JAXA has lost communications with the Astro-H X-ray astronomy […]
Overnight Japan lofted the ASTRO-H X-Ray Observatory into Low Earth Orbit. As is the custom, the spacecraft was given an additional name, “Hitomi” to go along with the formal designation. Hitomi literally means the pupil of the eye, or aperture, in Japanese, but also connotes a broader meaning of the wisdom or insight which can […]
NASA’s Office of Inspector General released a report yesterday outlining several issues facing NASA as it seeks to extent the operating life of the International Space Station from current threshold of 2020, until at least 2024. The good news is that there are no outstanding technical issues which seriously threaten the ability to keep the […]
With the current focus on difficulties in the U.S./Russian relationship and its implications for the International Space Station, it may be easy to overlook the fact that both Europe and Japan are major partners in the station as well. This English language video gives a good overview of the Japanese space program’s activities in […]
JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency, announced today that it has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop Japan’s next generation, flagship launch vehicle. From the official announcement: “The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) made an announcement to the private sector on February 27, 2014, to compare their proposals and select a prime contractor who can […]
JAXA Press Release: Launch Postponement and Launch Time Change for Epsilon Launch Vehicle with SPRINT-A onboard August 8, 2013 (JST) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) decided to postpone the launch of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) […]
After a flawless liftoff yesterday, Japan’s Kounotori-4 cargo vessel is en route to a Friday arrival and berthing with the International Space Station. The liftoff of the H-IIB launch vehicle, which occurred precisely on time at 4:48:46 AM local, was accompanied by the rocket’s distinctive screaming sound, which pierced the pre-dawn hours of the Tanegashima […]
The Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, is poised to launch its fourth automated supply vessel to the International Space Station. Liftoff aboard the H-IIB carrier rocket is scheduled for 4:48:46 AM Japan Standard Time (Sunday in Japan) 3:48 pm Saturday US Eastern. The launch will be broadcast on NASA television, as well here. The HTV, which is […]
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