Suisei (spacecraft)

Suisei (Japaneseすいせい, dt comet ) was a Japanese space probe that explored Halley's Comet in 1986. She was about 130 kg (scientific payload 10 kg) and had solar cells for energy supply, a spin wheel for stabilization ( 2000 rpm ) and various scientific instruments.

Mission

Suisei was the same design but different instrumented ( UV camera and solar wind detector) sister probe to Sakigake. You should explore the comet Halley. Before the start of the mission was called Planet -A.

Course

• Suisei launched on 18 August 1985 by the Japanese Rocket Center Kagoshima on a " MU 3" launcher.
• Had the highest approach to Halley probe on March 8, 1986 151,000 miles away. Suisei submitted the required data and was only slightly damaged.
• On April 5, 1987, the engine of the probe were activated and taken a course to Earth. Was provided by one or more gravity -assist maneuvers on the ground of the flyby of comet Tempel-Tuttle (scheduled for February 28, 1998) and Giacobini - Zinner (scheduled for 24 November 1998).
• On February 22, 1991, however, the fuel supplies Suiseis were completely depleted, so that the probe was then switched off - long before it reached the Earth.

Result

Suisei fulfilled the tasks demanded of them. The fact that the mission failed modest, was due to the inexperience of the Japanese. So ultimately was Suisei only a ( successful ) test flight.