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ASTRO-H

ASTRO-H

The ASTRO-H is the sixth X-ray observation satellite that will explore the extreme universe that is abundant with high energy phenomena around black holes and supernova explosions, and observe a cluster of galaxies filled with high-temperature plasma.

Mission Profile

Name ASTRO-H
Objectives The purpose of ASTRO-H is to explore the structure and evolution of Universe with the following observational capabilities:
  1. The first imaging and spectroscopic observations with the hard X-ray telescope.
  2. The first spectroscopic observations with an extremely high energy resolution of the micro-calorimeter.
  3. The most sensitive wideband observation over an energy range from 0.3 to 600 keV.
Launch Date 2015FY
Location Tanegashima Space Center
Launch Vehicle
Configuration Weight 2.4 t
Shape Equipped with the following deployment structures: large deployable antenna with aperture diameter 10m; one-wing solar-array paddle; and high-speed data communication antenna
Orbit Altitude 550 km
Inclination 31°
Type of Orbit Circular
Period about 96 min.
Scientific Instruments (Planned)
  • Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT)
  • Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT-S, SXT-I)
  • Hard X-ray Imager (HXI)
  • Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS)
  • Soft X-ray Imager (SXI)
  • Soft Gamma-ray Detector (SGD)