Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

Entrance to the ISAS Sagamihara campus

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (宇宙科学研究所, Uchū kagaku kenkyūjo) (ISAS) is a Japanese national research organization of astrophysics using rockets, astronomical satellites and interplanetary probes. It is (as of 2011) a division of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

History

The ISAS originates in the Institute of Industrial Science of University of Tokyo, where Hideo Itokawa experimented miniature solid-fuel rockets (Pencil Rocket and Baby Rocket) in 1950s. It grew to the Κ (Kappa) sounding rocket, and used for observations for International Geophysical Year. By 1960, Κ-8 reached 200 km altitude.

In 1964, the rocket group and 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 University of Tokyo. The rocket evolved to L (Lambda) series, and in 1970, L-4S-5 launched Japan's first artificial satellite Ōsumi.

Although Lambda rockets were sounding rocket, the next generation M (Mu) rockets were intended to be the satellite launch vehicle from start. From 1971, ISAS launched series of scientific satellites to observe ionosphere and magnetosphere. Since the launch of Hakucho in 1979, ISAS 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.

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).

List of Satellites by ISAS

Before establishment of JAXA

Launch date	Name before launch	Name after launch	Mission
February 11, 1970		Ōsumi	Technology demonstration
February 16, 1971	MS-T1	Tansei	Technology demonstration
September 28, 1971	MS-F2	Shinsei	Ionosphere / cosmic-ray / solar-radio observation
August 19, 1972	REXS	Denpa	Ionosphere / magnetosphere observation
February 16, 1974	MS-T2	Tansei 2	Technology experiment
February 24, 1975	SRATS	Taiyo	Thermosphere and sun
February 19, 1977	MS-T3	Tansei 3	Technology experiment
February 4, 1978	EXOS-A	Kyokko	Aurora and ionosphere
September 16, 1978	EXOS-B	Jikiken	Magnetosphere and thermosphere observation
February 21, 1979	CORSA-b	Hakucho	X-ray astronomy
February 17, 1980	MS-T4	Tansei 4	Technology experiment
February 21, 1981	ASTRO-A	Hinotori	Solar X-ray observation
February 20, 1983	ASTRO-B	Tenma	X-ray astronomy
February 14, 1984	EXOS-C	Ohzora	Mesosphere observation
January 8, 1985	MS-T5	Sakigake	Technology experiment / Comet observation
August 19, 1985	PLANET-A	Suisei	Comet observation
August 19, 1987	ASTRO-C	Ginga	X-ray astronomy
February 22, 1989	EXOS-D	Akebono	Aurora observation
January 24, 1990	MUSES-A	Hiten	Interplanetary technology experiment
August 30, 1991	SOLAR-A	Yohkoh	Solar X-ray observation (with NASA / UK)
July 24, 1992	GEOTAIL	GEOTAIL	Magnetosphere observation (with NASA)
February 20, 1993	ASTRO-D	ASCA	X-ray astronomy (with NASA)
March 18, 1995	SFU	SFU	Multi-purpose experiment flyer (with NASDA / NEDO / USEF)
February 12, 1997	MUSES-B	HALCA	Space VLBI technology development
July 4, 1998	PLANET-B	Nozomi	Mars atmosphere observation
May 9, 2003	MUSES-C	Hayabusa	Planetary sample return technology development

After establishment of JAXA

Launch date	Name before launch	Name after launch	Mission
July 10, 2005	ASTRO-EII	Suzaku	X-ray astronomy
February 21, 2006	ASTRO-F	Akari	Infrared astronomy
September 22, 2006	SOLAR-B	Hinode	Solar observation
May 20, 2010	PLANET-C	Akatsuki	Venus atmosphere observation

External links

• http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/index.html
• From Pencil to M-V — History of Rocket Development - Official JAXA YouTube Channel (in Japanese)