Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

35.558389°N 139.395255°E / 35.558389; 139.395255

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

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (宇宙科学研究所, Uchū Kagaku Kenkyūsho), or 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]

History

Entrance to the ISAS Sagamihara Campus

The ISAS originated as part of the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo (ja: 東京大学生産技術研究所), 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 (IGY). 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.

ISAS was responsible for launching Japan's first interplanetary probes, Sakigake and Suisei, to Halley's Comet in 1985. It also launched Hiten, Japan's first lunar probe, in 1990. The Nozomi probe was launched in 1998 in an attempt to orbit Mars, but the spacecraft suffered system failures and was unable to enter orbit. In 2003, ISAS launched the Hayabusa spacecraft, the first asteroid sample return mission in the world.

Later 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). Under JAXA, ISAS continues to be responsible for space-based astronomy, and lunar and planetary exploration missions.

List of spacecraft by ISAS

Launch failures, cancelled projects, proposals etc. are not listed.

Before establishment of JAXA

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

After establishment of JAXA

Launch dateName before launchName after launchMission
10 July 2005ASTRO-EIISuzakuX-ray astronomy
24 August 2005INDEXReimeiTechnology / Aurora research
21 February 2006ASTRO-FAkariInfrared astronomy
22 September 2006SOLAR-BHinodeSolar observation
14 September 2007SELENEKaguyaLunar orbiter
20 May 2010PLANET-CAkatsukiVenus atmosphere observation
14 September 2013SPRINT-AHisakiEUV observation
3 December 2014Hayabusa2Hayabusa2Asteroid sample return
17 February 2016ASTRO-HHitomiX-ray astronomy
20 December 2016ERGAraseMagnetosphere research
20 October 2018
(in transit)
MMOMioExploration of Mercury as part of the BepiColombo mission with ESA
14 April 2023JUICEJUICEGanymede exploration (with ESA / NASA)
6 September 2023XRISMXRISMX-ray astronomy
6 September 2023SLIMSLIMLunar landing demonstration

Future missions

Planned launch dateNameMission
2024DESTINY+Near Earth objects multi-flyby
2024HeraAsteroid observation (with ESA)
2024MMXPhobos sample return
2026Roman Space TelescopeInfrared astronomy (with NASA)
2027Solar-C_EUVSTSolar observation
2028JASMINEInfrared astrometry
2028LiteBIRDCMB astronomy
2030HiZ-GUNDAMGamma-ray burst observation
2035ATHENAX-ray astronomy (with ESA / NASA)

See also

References

  1. Annual Report of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (Report). Vol. 2018. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. 24 December 2019. pp. 1–127. ISSN 2423-8627.
  2. "JAXA History". JAXA Official Website (English). Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
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