LAUNCH CENTER

Launch Image
Success
Wed Feb 17 2016
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Astro-H (Hitomi)

Launch Successful
LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

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(8:45 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

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(8:45 AM UTC)

Launch Window End

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(9:30 AM UTC)

RECOVERY OVERVIEW

Location

No Recovery Specified

Type

No Recovery Specified

Rocket Details

Name:

H-IIA 202

Description:

H-IIA (H2A) is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch Akatsuki, which studied the planet Venus. Launches occur at the Tanegashima Space Center.

H-IIA 202 rocket
MISSION OVERVIEW
  • Type: Astrophysics
  • Astro-H is the 6th satellite in a series of X-ray telescopes by JAXA and ISAS. Its 4 instruments on board will cover the X-ray and Gamma ray regions. This region consists of photons with energy ranging from 0.3-600keV, and the telescope will provide the highest resolution ever achieved of 3-10 keV bands. The craft weighs 2.7 tonnes and will be placed into a circular orbit 575km above the ground, with an inclination of 31 degrees.
COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Tanegashima, Japan

Pad

Yoshinobu Launch Complex