April 13, 2012 updated

Infrared astronomical satellite AKARI detected a mysterious far-infrared cosmic background radiation. According to the various analyses, one of its possible sources is relatively small black holes that existed in great number in the early universe. Or, its origin may be unknown physical phenomena. Various approaches will be taken to elucidate the mystery.

February 13, 2012 updated

An ultra-small satellite generally weighs less than 100kg, and R&D is being actively advanced across the world. The ultra-small satellite is not only for educational purposes; it also has other features: e.g., it allows us to conduct early space demonstration of advanced technologies at component and equipment level. This article introduces the meaning of ultra-small satellites with actual examples.

December 14, 2011 updated

Astrophysical jets are collimated streams of magnetized plasma produced by compact accreting objects such as neutron stars or black holes. Particularly prominent jets are associated with supermassive black holes hosted by active galaxies.

October 31, 2011 updated

Investigation confirmed that fine particles returned by the spacecraft HAYABUSA in June 2010 originated from the asteroid Itokawa. The fine rocky particles of Itokawa were recovered from the sample container of HAYABUSA with a special quartz glass probe and so on. This article describes the recovery work and partial results of the initial analysis on the particles.

October 5, 2011 updated

The success of the asteroid explorer HAYABUSA, which returned to earth despite many difficulties, was supported by a microwave discharge-type ion engine developed by ISAS. The engine is robust and easy to operate, and also offers flexibility of trajectory design. ISAS is striving to develop many innovative electric rocket technologies.

September 14, 2011 updated

The infrared astronomical satellite AKARI conducted a all-sky survey by mid-infrared. The survey's objectives are the origins of the universe and of life. It has provided valuable findings elucidating a variety of physical phenomena in the universe, including observation of the site where solid particles were formed in a supernova remnant.

August 22, 2011 updated

Spacecraft such as scientific satellites could be called collections of electronic parts. Due to concerns about commercial LSIs' durability to the severe radiation environment in space, most high-performance space-application LSIs are imported from abroad. Based on the space/commercial common-use strategy, ISAS succeeded in developing low-cost, high-performance space-application LSIs.

July 13, 2011 updated

When observed in X-ray, the Universe looks very different from that observed in visible light. Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI), delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) in July 2009, is catching many interesting images and events in the Universe in X-ray. This article introduces some observation results on one example - the black hole binaries.

May 30, 2011 updated

The Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator IKAROS, launched in May 2010 and propelled by solar-light pressure, passed the vicinity of Venus in December 2010. During the period, IKAROS accelerated to 100m/s. This article introduces the attitude system, one of several technological demonstrations IKAROS conducted. The solar-sail technology obtained by IKAROS is expected to significantly change deep-space exploration in the future.