Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

, or ISAS, is a Japanese national research organization of astrophysics using rockets, astronomical satellites and interplanetary probes which played a major role in Japan's space development. Established as part of the University of Tokyo in 1964, the institute spun off from the university to come under direct purview of the Ministry of Education. Since 2003, it is a division of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

History

The ISAS originated as part of the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo, where Hideo Itokawa experimented with miniature solid-fuel rockets (Pencil Rocket and ) in the 1950s. This experimentation eventually led to the development of the Κ (Kappa) sounding rocket, which was used for observations during the International Geophysical Year (IGY). By 1960, the Κ-8 rocket had reached an altitude of 200 km.

In 1964, the rocket group and the Institute of Aeronautics, along with scientific ballooning team, were merged to form within the University of Tokyo. The rocket evolved into the L (Lambda) series, and, in 1970, L-4S-5 was launched as Japan's first artificial satellite Ohsumi.

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

ISAS was responsible for launching Japan's first interplanetary probes, Sakigake and Suisei, to Halley's Comet in 1985. It also launched Hiten, Japan's first lunar probe, in 1990. The Nozomi probe was launched in 1998 in an attempt to orbit Mars, but the spacecraft suffered system failures and was unable to enter orbit. In 2003, ISAS launched the Hayabusa spacecraft, the first asteroid sample return mission in the world.

Later 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 . Under JAXA, ISAS continues to be responsible for space-based astronomy, and lunar and planetary exploration missions.

List of spacecraft by ISAS

Launch failures, cancelled projects, proposals etc. are not listed.

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

After establishment of JAXA Launch date Name before launch Name after launch Mission 10 July 2005 ASTRO-EII Suzaku X-ray astronomy 24 August 2005 INDEX Reimei Technology / Aurora research 21 February 2006 ASTRO-F Akari Infrared astronomy 22 September 2006 SOLAR-B Hinode Solar observation 14 September 2007 SELENE Kaguya Lunar orbiter 20 May 2010 PLANET-C Akatsuki Venus atmosphere observation 20 May 2010 IKAROS IKAROS Solar sail demonstration 14 September 2013 SPRINT-A Hisaki EUV observation 3 December 2014 Hayabusa2 Hayabusa2 Asteroid sample return 17 February 2016 ASTRO-H Hitomi X-ray astronomy 20 December 2016 ERG Arase Magnetosphere research 20 October 2018 MMO Mio Exploration of Mercury as part of the BepiColombo mission with ESA 16 November 2022 OMOTENASHI OMOTENASHI Lunar landing experiment 14 April 2023 Juice Juice Ganymede exploration (with ESA / NASA) 6 September 2023 XRISM XRISM X-ray astronomy 6 September 2023 SLIM SLIM Lunar landing demonstration 7 October 2024 Hera Hera Asteroid observation (with ESA)

Future missions Planned launch date Name Mission 2026 Roman Space Telescope Infrared astronomy (with NASA) 2026 MMX Phobos sample return July 2028 Dragonfly Titan atmosphere probe (with NASA) July 2028 Solar-C Solar observation 2028 DESTINY+ Near Earth objects multi-flyby 2028 Ramses Asteroid flyby (with ESA) 2028 OPENS-0 Saturn ring observation 2029 Comet Interceptor Probe B1 Asteroid flyby (with ESA) 2030-3033 NGSR small Solar System body sample return 2032 JASMINE Infrared astrometry 2036 LiteBIRD CMB astronomy 2037 ATHENA X-ray astronomy (with ESA / NASA)

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

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