Hisaki (satellite)

Hisaki (Japaneseひさき), project name SPRINT -A ( Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere ) is a space telescope of the Japanese JAXA.

The satellite was named after Hi -saki (火 崎, literally " Feuerkap " ) a cape of Tsushiro Peninsula near the launch site, which is used by fishermen to pray for a safe voyage, and its wedge shape on the appearance of the satellite recalls. In addition, the name refers to it that the target objects in each case before or beyond (Japanese saki ) the sun (Japanese hi) are.

He was taken on September 14, 2013 at 05:00 UTC with an epsilon - rocket from the rocket launch site Uchinoura Space Center in an elliptical orbit.

The three -axis stabilized satellite is equipped with two telescopes with sensors for extreme - ultraviolet region and to investigate the atmosphere and the environment of planets like Venus, Mars and Jupiter. The interaction of the solar wind with the outer layers of the atmospheres shall be observed and conclusions about the long-range expansion of the magnetic field of Jupiter derived from the data. For comparison, the area of the planets Mars and Venus will be investigated, which largely lacks a magnetic field. It was built on the basis of the Sprint Series of Jaxa and has a design life of one year.