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Mission Profile
| Name (pre-launch in parentheses) | AKEBONO (EXOS-D) | |
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| International Designation Code | 1989-016A | |
| Objectives | Elucidation of physical phenomena of the magnetosphere in relation to aurora (observation of acceleration mechanism of aurora particles and aurora luminous event) | |
| Launch | Date | 08:30, February 22, 1989 (JST) |
| Location | Kagoshima Space Center (Uchinoura) | |
| Launch Vehicle | ||
| Configuration | Weight | Approx. 295 kg |
| Shape | 100cm high, 126cm long from face to face Octagonal cylinder with four solar-array paddles Equipped with 30m-long antenna and two (5m and 3m) extendable masts  [Click image for enlargement] |
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| Orbit | Altitude | Perigee 275 km, Apogee 10,500 km |
| Inclination | 75° | |
| Type of Orbit | Highly elliptical | |
| Period | 211 min | |
| Scientific Instruments |
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| Results | Apart from the auroral imager whose CCDs were degraded by the harsh radiation environment, all onboard instruments are still healthy and operable, achieving observation over an entire cycle (11 years) of solar activity. Scientific results obtained until now include: demonstration of particle acceleration by electric field parallel to magnetic field lines; quantitative research on ions flowing out from the polar ionosphere: detailed research on reinforcement of UHR waves on the equator: thermal structure of low-altitude plasmasphere; discovery of partial dropping phenomenon in density of the plasmasphere when magnetic storms occur; and observation of long-term variation of particles in the radiation belt. | |