ASTRO-F
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Image:Astro-f.jpg ASTRO-F (or Akari) is an infrared astronomy satellite developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, in cooperation with institutes of Europe and Korea. It was launched on 21:28, February 21, 2006 UTC (06:28, February 22 JST) by M-V rocket into Earth polar Sun synchronous orbit. After its launch it was named Akari (あかり), which means "brightness" in Japanese.
Its primary mission is to survey the entire sky in near-, mid- and far-infrared, through its 68.5cm aperture telescope.
Its designed lifespan of far- and mid-infrared sensors are 550 days, limited by its liquid helium coolant. Near-infrared sensor will continue to operate after that with mechanical coolers.
Due to the malfunction of sun-sensor after the launch, the ejection of telescope aperture lid was delayed, resulting the coolant lifespan estimate to be shortened to about 500 days from launch.
[edit] Results
As of mid August Akari finished around 50 % of the all sky survey. [1]
