28773 - Suzaku

Suzaku (Astro-E2) is a Japanese (ISAS/JAXA) astronomy satellite. Suzaku is Japan's fifth X-ray astronomy satellite and the third for which the US has provided a significant part of the scientific payload. It will monitor the universe in the 0.3-700 keV X-ray band, in conjunction with the Chandra (NASA) and XMM-Newton (ESA) satellites.

Suzaku is designed to obtain precise measurements of high-energy processes in stars, supernova remnants, galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and the environments around neutron stars and black holes. Suzaku is equipped with X-ray telescopes and two instruments: The XIS (X-ray Imaging Spectrometer) and the HXD (Hard X-ray Detector). Suzaku also carries a third instrument, the XRS (X-ray Spectrometer), but the XRS lost all its cryogen before routine scientific observations could begin.

Suzaku is the recovery mission for ASTRO-E, which did not achieve orbit during launch in February 2000. The 1,600 kg, 500 W, octagonal (2 m x 5 m), triaxially-stabilized spacecraft carries six instruments, covering the sky between 60 degrees and 120 degrees away from the Sun. The mission has significant participation from NASA and MIT.

Alternate Names

Astro-E2

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2005-07-10
Launch Vehicle: M-5
Launch Site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
Mass: 1600.0 kg
Nominal Power: 500.0 W