The Latest on Astro-E's Launch

Stay tuned for updates!

Here's the latest report from Japan:

Feb. 10 EST - ASTRO-E Lost.

After 6 years of hard work by a dedicated staff of scientists, engineers, and administrators, Astro-E was launched on February 10, 2000 at 1030 JST, from Kagoshima Space Center (KSC). Unfortunately, there was a problem with the first stage of the M V rocket. Astro-E could not obtain the necessary altitude for a proper orbit. As a result, the satellite was declared unusable.

We would like to thank the people who supported the Astro-E project and visited our web site. Although we are disappointed, we will continue to search for answers about the Universe.

The above is Copyright (c) ISAS High Energy Astrophysics Division, www@astro.isas.jaxa.jp

Feb. 9  EST
The launch was postponed until 8:30 PM (EST), Feb. 9, because of a
problem with one of the downrange antennas.

Feb. 8  EST
The launch was postponed until 8:30 PM (EST), Feb. 8,  due to strong winds.

Received 1:30 pm, EST, February 7th (T - 7 hours)

The XRS has been closed up for flight.  A final temperature check was
made using the GSE, and then the harnesses were removed and the
shorting plugs installed.  ISAS technicians then quickly moved in to
attach and seal the access panel.  The remaining GSE in the tower was
then latched down for the launch.

We are now in the middle of what should be the final aliveness check
of the spacecraft.  So far everything is going well.

There's no information on the weather relative to the launch
criteria.  It's kind of hazy outside now, but the weather changes
rapidly here.

As of 4:20 pm JST on February 7th (T - 18 hours)

ASTRO-E is ready for launch at 10:30am JST on the 8th.  The only concern 
is the 20% chance of rain forecast for the area for the 
morning of the 8th.

Taken Feb. 4, 2000

Taken Feb. 5, 2000

Click on the image for a larger version. The images are courtesy of Institute for Space and Astronautical Sciences

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