Lagrange Points
Five spots in the Earth-Sun system where the gravitational tug of two massive bodies and the pull of circular motion all cancel out, creating gravitational parking spaces where spacecraft can sit for decades with almost no fuel.
GINGA (ASTRO-C) (17480)
COSPAR: 1987-012A | Alt Name: Ginga
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 5, 1987
Launch Site
KSCUT
Launch Pad
M1
Launch Vehicle
Mu-3S-II
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
17480
International Designator
1987-012A
Decay Date
11/1/1991
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GINGA (ASTRO-C)
Alternative Name
Ginga
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
ISASM
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The GINGA (ASTRO-C) satellite, also known as Ginga, was launched on February 5, 1987, from the Kagoshima Space Center using a Mu-3S-II launch vehicle. It is owned by ISASM and manufactured by the same organization for astronomical X-Ray observations. The satellite has dimensions of 1.5 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and spans 4.5 meters. Its dry mass is 420 kilograms, which is also its launch mass. Ginga is equipped with deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power generation. It carries LAC, ASM, and GRBD equipment for its mission. The satellite has a box shape with four panels and an RCS of 7.72.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.5
Diameter
1
Span
4.5
Dry Mass
420
Launch Mass
420
Shape
Box + 4 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.72
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ASTRO-C
Purpose
Astronomy, X-Ray
Mission
Astronomy, X-Ray
Manufacturer
ISASM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
ASTRO-C
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
LAC, ASM, GRBD
Power System
4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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