Subscribe with SteadyAstro B (Tenma)
Astro B [ISAS]
The Astro B (renamed Tenma after launch) X-ray astronomy mission had the following major objectives:
- study of X-ray source spectra with good energy resolution,
- study of temporal variations of X-ray sources,
- all-sky survey for X-ray bursts and transients, and
- observation of soft X-ray sources with a reflecting telescope.
The spacecraft could spin at 0.546, 0.137, or 0.068 rpm with the aid of a momentum wheel. The spin axis was maneuvered by magnetic torquing.
Four experiments were on board of the satellite:
- Gas Scintillation Proportional Counters
- Hadamard Transform Telescope
- All Sky X-Ray Monitor
- X-Ray Reflecting Telescope
| Nation: | Japan |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Astronomy, X-Ray |
| Operator: | ISAS |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | see above |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | 4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 216 kg |
| Orbit: | 489 km × 503 km, 31.5° |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astro B (Tenma) | 1983-011A | 20.02.1983 | Ka LP-M | M-3S |
Launch Sites:
- Ka = Kagoshima Space Center / Uchinoura Space Center, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
References:
- JAXA / ISAS: Tenma (Astro B)
Further Astro missions:
