Hinotori

NSSDC ID: 81-017A

Other Name(s)

       ASTRO-A 
       Astronomical Satellite-A 
       12307 


Launch Date/Time: 1981-02-21 at 09:30:00 UTC
On-orbit dry mass: 188.00 kg


Description

The main objective of the HINOTORI mission was the detailed study of solar
flares during solar maximum. Principal investigations were (1) imaging of 
solar flare X rays in the range 10 to 40 keV by means of rotating modulation 
collimators and (2) spectroscopy of X-ray emission lines from highly ionized 
iron in solar flares in the range 1.7 to 2.0 A by means of a Bragg spectro-
meter. Wavelength scanning was achieved by the spacecraft revolution, with 
an offset pointing of the spin axis with respect to the sun. Investigations 
(1) and (2) each had a time resolution of 6 s. In addition, the following 
investigations were included: three solar flare X-ray monitors that recorded 
the time profile and spectrum of the X-ray flares in the range 2 to 20 keV, 
a solar flare gamma-ray detector for the range 0.2 to 9.0 MeV, a particle
detector that monitored electron flux above 100 keV, and plasma probes for 
the measurement of electron density and temperature. 


Discipline(s)

    Solar Physics
    Space Physics

Sponsoring Agencies/Countries

    Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, U of Tokyo/Japan


Launch Information

Launch Date/Time: 1981-02-21 at 09:30:00 UTC
Launch Site/Country: Kagoshima, Japan
Launch Vehicle: M-3S

Decay Date: 1991-07-11

Orbital Information

Orbit:  Orbiter
Central Body: Earth

    Epoch start date/time:  1981.052:09:30:00 (21 Feb.)


        Orbital Period:  96.20 m
        Inclination:  31.30 degrees        Eccentricity:  0.00395
        Periapsis:    548.00 km              Apoapsis:  603.00 km


Hinotori Experiments:

81-017A-01	Solar Flare 5-40 keV X-Rays using Rotating 
		Modulation Collimator Imaging
		(Principal Investigator: Takakura)

81-017A-02	Solar Flare X-Ray Bragg Spectroscopy in 1.7-2.0 A Range 
		(Principal Investigator: Tanaka)

81-017A-03	Time Profile and Spectra of X-Ray Flares in 
		the 2-20 keV Range 
		(Principal Investigator: Matsuoka)

81-017A-04	Solar Flare Gamma-Ray Detector in 0.2-9.0 MeV Range 
		(Principal Investigator: Kondo)

81-017A-05	Electron Flux above 100 keV Particle Detector Monitor 
		(Principal Investigator: Takeuchi)

81-017A-06	Plasma Probes 
		(Principal Investigator: Hirao, Oyama)