March 24, 2008 updated

Using two X-ray astronomical satellites, SUZAKU and Chandra, we tackled the mystery of high-energy particles (cosmic rays) coming to earth from far outer space. As a result of the observations, we found new evidence that cosmic rays are accelerated by shock waves from supernova remnants.

(ISAS News: December 2007 issue)

February 12, 2008 updated

Wind plays an important role in keeping the temperature of our earth comfortable. On neighboring planet Venus the temperature of the surface reaches up to 460 deg. C and a wind called “super-rotation” blows at a speed of 100m/s. The Venus-explorer PLANET-C, scheduled to launch in 2010, will enhance our understanding of planetary climate systems including Venus.

(ISAS News: November 2007 issue)

December 26 updated

Japan is proud of its world-class solid rocket technology. In the next-generation solid-rocket system that will succeed the M-V rocket retired in 2006, we will simultaneously fulfill two competing requirements: high performance and low cost. In addition to improving the vehicle, we aim to innovate the launching system in order to enable frequent satellite launches.

(ISAS News: October 2007 issue)

Nobember 27 updated

The X-ray astronomy satellite Suzaku, launched in July 2005, observed a mysterious enhancement event of soft X-ray background radiation. Using the detailed spectral data obtained from the satellite, its origin was apparently confirmed to be the charge exchange interaction of solar wind ions with neutral materials around the earth.

(ISAS News: September 2007 issue)

Nobember 1 updated

Solar cell production shows rapid growth and the development of new quality-evaluation technologies plays an important role in their continued growth. A variety of evaluation methods are being developed using photoluminescence, allowing us to assess a huge number of test samples in a short time with high-accuracy.

(ISAS News: July 2007 issue)

July 9 updated

Material science research on the solar system has been advanced by meteorite analysis and groundbased observation of asteroids. One large discrepancy remained unsolved, however. This article introduces the observation results of the asteroid explorer HAYABUSA that challenged to resolve the mystery and presents expectations for future explorations following the HAYABUSA to elucidate the origin and evolution of the solar system.

(ISAS News: May 2007 issue)

July 2 updated

Research is progressing on propulsion systems using nitrous oxide and ethanol as a nontoxic liquid propulsion system that can also be used in education. With firing experiments already complete, the next target is to develop a flight model in the next five years with the aim of introducing the engine to future solid rockets or reusable space-transportation systems.

(ISAS News: April 2007 issue)

June 15 updated

A cataclysmic variable is comprised of two stars and changes its brightness drastically. Among the many mysteries of cataclysmic variables are the nature of the accretion disk and the boundary layer formed between the stars. These mysteries are being elucidated by recent, advanced X-ray spectroscopic observations including those by the X-ray astronomical satellite SUZAKU now in service.

(ISAS News: March 2007 issue)

May 28 updated

The Aurora-observation satellite REIMEI launched in 2005 is a small 70kg satellite. Its unique concept was an insistence on in-house development as much as possible. This article reviews the lessons learned and troubles experienced in the development of the attitude control systems critical for observation satellites. These lessons are useful for future satellite development.

(ISAS News: February 2007 issue)