Nozomi (spacecraft)

Nozomi was a Japanese space probe, which was launched for the exploration of Mars in 1998. The failure of the mission was announced officially in 2003.

The name Nozomi is Japanese and means " hope." Furthermore, Nozomi is a fast train service of the Japanese bullet train Shinkansen. After the first Japanese space probe Sakigake, Suisei and Hiten Nozomi should called before the start as Planet -B, represent the transition of Japan from the experiment of the research phase.

Instruments and Mission

The without fuel 258 kg mass spacecraft has 15 different experiments and instruments on board. Involved were Germany, Canada, Sweden and the United States. For 1999, the swinging was provided in an elliptical orbit around Mars. The probe should be two years remain active in Mars orbit. Research objectives were especially the Martian atmosphere and its interaction with the sun.

Course

Nozomi was launched on July 3, 1998 an MV rocket from the Japanese space center in Kagoshima. Since the launcher did not have sufficient thrust to bring the probe on a direct course for Mars, the probe fully performed two gravity assist maneuver at the moon, one on 24 September 1998, the other on 18 December 1998. In the latter it came to a malfunction in the engine, whereby the probe missed the bullet into the transfer orbit to Mars.

In the subsequently prepared emergency plan two Gravity Assist maneuver on the ground on 21 December 2002 and on 19 June 2003 were scheduled, making the arrival at Mars but slipped to the window in 2003.

In April 2002, the probe was severely damaged by a solar flare. Only after months, the Japanese were able to regain control over the probe so that both Gravity Assist maneuver could be carried out successfully on the earth.

Nevertheless, the Japanese space agency JAXA had on 9 December 2003 to explain the failure of the mission, since a defect in the circuit board computer could not be corrected in time. The probe passed on 14 December 2003, Mars and flying since around the sun in a distant orbit.

Result

The mission Nozomi was a failure. However, it is considered to use the probe for the observation of solar activity.