Tenma

For other uses, see Tenma (disambiguation).

Tenma (Japanese for "Pegasus").

Tenma, known as ASTRO-B before launch (COSPAR 1983-011A, SATCAT 13829), was a Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite, developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. It was launched on February 20, 1983 using a M-3S rocket on the M-3S-3 mission.

Battery failure in July 1984 caused the operation to become limited, and continuing problems lead to the termination of X-ray observation in 1985. It reentered the atmosphere on January 19, 1989 (other sources, for example the NORAD catalog of satellites, say decay date was 17 December 1988).

Highlights

• Discovery of the iron helium-like emission from the galactic ridge
• Iron line discovery and/or study in many LMXRB, HMXRB and AGN
• Discovery of an absorption line at 4 keV in the X1636-536 Burst spectra

See also

•  Spaceflight portal

External links

• Tenma at ISAS
• Tenma at NASA