Launch Result of ASTRO-F/M-V-8 (Forwarded)

Public Affairs Department
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Marunouchi Kitaguchi Building,
1-6-5, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8260
Japan
TEL:+81-3-6266-6400

February 22, 2006

Launch Result of ASTRO-F/M-V-8

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the 21st
Scientific Satellite (ASTRO-F) aboard the M-V Launch Vehicle No. 8
(M-V-8) at 6:28 a.m. on February 22, 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST
[2128 UTC February 21]) from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC).
The launcher was set to a vertical angle of 81.5 degrees, and the
flight azimuth was 143.0 degrees.

The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and after the third stage engine
burnout, it was confirmed that the satellite was safely injected into
its scheduled orbit of a perigee altitude of approximately 304 km and
an apogee altitude of approximately 733 km with an inclination of
approximately 98.2 degrees.

JAXA started receiving signals from the ASTRO-F at 6:43 a.m. at the
Perth Station, and from those signals we verified that the ASTRO-F had
successfully separated.

The in-orbit ASTRO-F was given a nickname of "Akari" (meaning a "light.")

We would like to express our appreciation for the cooperation and
support from all related personnel and organizations that helped
contribute to the successful launch of the ASTRO-F/M-V-8.

This information is also available on the following website:

ASTRO-F/M-V-8 Countdown
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/countdown/index-en.shtml

*****

Public Affairs Department
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Marunouchi Kitaguchi Building,
1-6-5, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8260
Japan
TEL:+81-3-6266-6400

February 22, 2006

Solar Array Paddle Deployment of the 21st Scientific Satellite "Akari"

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed the
successful deployment of the solar array paddle (PDL) of the 21st
Scientific Satellite "Akari" through telemetry data that has been
received at the Santiago Station since 8:46 a.m. (Japan Standard Time,
JST [2346 UTC February 21])

The "Akari" was launched by the M-V Launch Vehicle No. 8 (M-V-8) at
6:28 a.m. on February 22, 2006 (JST [2128 UTC February 21]) from
the Uchinoura Space Center (USC.)

This information is also available on the following website:

ASTRO-F/M-V-8 Countdown
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/countdown/index-en.shtml

*****

Public Affairs Department
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Marunouchi Kitaguchi Building,
1-6-5, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8260
Japan
TEL:+81-3-6266-6400

February 22, 2006

Initial Operation of the 21st Scientific Satellite "Akari" (ASTRO-F)

The 21st Scientific Satellite "Akari" which was launched by the M-V
Launch Vehicle No. 8 from the Uchinoura Space Center at 6:28 a.m.
on February 22, 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST [2128 UTC
February 21]), was found to be stable in spite of a slight problem.

After its launch, the "Akari" was injected into its scheduled orbit,
and the JAXA New Ground Network (GN) Station in Perth, Australia,
started receiving data from the satellite at 6:43 a.m. (JST [2143 UTC
February 21]) Through the data, it was confirmed that the "Akari"
was successfully separated and was in a spin mode.

The JAXA GN Station in Santiago, Chile, started receiving data at
8:48 a.m. (JST [2348 UTC February 21]), and the satellite attitude
was found to be shifted from the spin mode to spin downed mode
as scheduled. The solar array paddle deployment and its power
generation were also confirmed. However, the solar pointing of the
attitude control was not complete. Based on our investigation, there
is an unknown factor in the output of the two-dimensional solar sensor
(NSAS). Due to this trouble, the "Akari" has been shifted to the
attitude control mode using the earth sensor (CES) and the gyroscope
(IRU) to secure the necessary power from the solar array paddles.

It was confirmed that the power has been stably generated through the
data that was received at the JAXA GN Station in Kiruna, Sweden, since
12:44 p.m. (JST [0344 UTC])

Currently, we are investigating the status of the two-dimensional
solar sensor (NSAS).

The overall health condition of the "Akari", apart from the
two-dimensional solar sensor, is stable, and we do not perceive that
any problem will arise for the scheduled observation operations.

This information is also available on the following website:

ASTRO-F/M-V-8 Countdown
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/countdown/index-en.shtml