Jacques van Oene
August 9th 05, 01:52 PM
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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Anomaly with the Suzaku Onboard Equipment (XRS)
August 9, 2005(JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been carrying out
initial operations of the "Suzaku" including turning on the
observation equipment after completing the solar array paddle
deployment, three-axis control mode establishment, and X-ray telescope
extension. On August 8, JAXA found the following anomaly in one of the
three sets of onboard observation equipment, the X-ray Spectrometer
(XRS), which was developed in cooperation with NASA and other
organizations. JAXA launched the Suzaku, the 23rd scientific satellite
(ASTRO-EII), at 12:30 p.m. on July 10, 2005, Japan Standard Time (JST),
from the Uchinoura Space Center.
The XRS is structured to cool down its X-ray micro-calorimeter (or the
detector) through freezing to the absolute temperature of 60
milli-degrees (or minus 273.09 degrees Celsius) for its operations.
The freezer is further wrapped by liquid helium and solid neon. In the
early stage, the cooling equipment was smoothly prepared for the
operation, and the detector successfully reached 60 milli-degrees,
which is a world record for a low temperature, and X-ray spectrum
performance was verified as being scheduled. However, on August 8, we
found that all loaded liquid helium had evaporated. As a result of
this anomaly, the detector cannot be cooled down; therefore, the
scheduled observations will be very difficult to carry out. The cause
of the anomaly is currently under investigation.
The other onboard observation equipment is in good shape and under
preparation. It will be ready for observations soon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Publisher : 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
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info
*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Anomaly with the Suzaku Onboard Equipment (XRS)
August 9, 2005(JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been carrying out
initial operations of the "Suzaku" including turning on the
observation equipment after completing the solar array paddle
deployment, three-axis control mode establishment, and X-ray telescope
extension. On August 8, JAXA found the following anomaly in one of the
three sets of onboard observation equipment, the X-ray Spectrometer
(XRS), which was developed in cooperation with NASA and other
organizations. JAXA launched the Suzaku, the 23rd scientific satellite
(ASTRO-EII), at 12:30 p.m. on July 10, 2005, Japan Standard Time (JST),
from the Uchinoura Space Center.
The XRS is structured to cool down its X-ray micro-calorimeter (or the
detector) through freezing to the absolute temperature of 60
milli-degrees (or minus 273.09 degrees Celsius) for its operations.
The freezer is further wrapped by liquid helium and solid neon. In the
early stage, the cooling equipment was smoothly prepared for the
operation, and the detector successfully reached 60 milli-degrees,
which is a world record for a low temperature, and X-ray spectrum
performance was verified as being scheduled. However, on August 8, we
found that all loaded liquid helium had evaporated. As a result of
this anomaly, the detector cannot be cooled down; therefore, the
scheduled observations will be very difficult to carry out. The cause
of the anomaly is currently under investigation.
The other onboard observation equipment is in good shape and under
preparation. It will be ready for observations soon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Publisher : 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
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info