# ASTRO-E

> destroyed Japanese space observatory, lost in a launch failure

**Wikidata**: [Q9161375](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9161375)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astro-e

## Summary
ASTRO-E was a Japanese space telescope launched in 2000 but destroyed in a launch failure. It was designed to study high-energy cosmic phenomena, including black holes and galaxy clusters, using advanced X-ray detectors. The mission was operated jointly by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science and NASA.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Space telescope
- **Launch date**: February 10, 2000, at 01:30 UTC
- **Launch vehicle**: M-V rocket (M-V-4 variant)
- **Launch site**: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
- **Operators**: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and NASA
- **Mass**: 1,680 kg (launch weight)
- **Power source**: Two spacecraft solar arrays
- **Design life**: 2 years
- **Replaced by**: Suzaku (launched in 2005)
- **Significant event**: Destroyed during launch failure
- **Country of origin**: Japan

## FAQs
### Q: What was ASTRO-E’s purpose?
A: ASTRO-E was designed to observe high-energy cosmic phenomena, such as black holes and galaxy clusters, using X-ray detectors. It aimed to study the universe’s most extreme environments.

### Q: Why was ASTRO-E destroyed?
A: ASTRO-E was lost during its launch on February 10, 2000, due to a failure of the M-V rocket’s third stage.

### Q: Who operated ASTRO-E?
A: The mission was a collaboration between the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) in Japan and NASA.

### Q: What was ASTRO-E’s successor?
A: ASTRO-E was succeeded by Suzaku, which launched in 2005 and continued its X-ray astronomy mission.

### Q: What type of telescope was ASTRO-E?
A: ASTRO-E was a space telescope equipped with advanced X-ray detectors to study high-energy cosmic events.

## Why It Matters
ASTRO-E was a critical mission in X-ray astronomy, designed to explore the universe’s most energetic phenomena, including black holes and galaxy clusters. Its loss in 2000 was a setback for Japan’s space program, but its scientific goals were later achieved by Suzaku. The mission highlighted the challenges of space exploration, particularly in the reliability of launch vehicles. Despite its failure, ASTRO-E contributed to the understanding of cosmic X-ray sources, paving the way for future missions in high-energy astrophysics.

## Notable For
- **First joint ISAS-NASA mission**: ASTRO-E was the first major collaboration between Japan’s ISAS and NASA.
- **Advanced X-ray detectors**: It carried cutting-edge instruments for studying high-energy cosmic events.
- **Precursor to Suzaku**: Its scientific objectives were continued by Suzaku, ensuring the mission’s legacy.
- **Launch failure impact**: The destruction of ASTRO-E underscored the risks of space exploration and the need for robust launch systems.

## Body
### Mission Overview
ASTRO-E was a Japanese space telescope launched on February 10, 2000, aboard an M-V rocket. Its primary goal was to observe high-energy cosmic phenomena, including black holes and galaxy clusters, using advanced X-ray detectors. The mission was operated jointly by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and NASA, marking a significant collaboration between the two space agencies.

### Launch and Failure
The launch of ASTRO-E ended in failure when the M-V rocket’s third stage malfunctioned, destroying the spacecraft. This setback was a significant loss for Japan’s space program, as ASTRO-E was designed to study some of the universe’s most extreme environments. Despite the failure, the mission’s scientific goals were later achieved by Suzaku, which launched in 2005.

### Scientific Instruments
ASTRO-E was equipped with two spacecraft solar arrays for power and carried instruments designed to detect X-rays from cosmic sources. Its mass at launch was 1,680 kg, and it was expected to operate for a design life of two years. The telescope’s advanced detectors allowed it to study high-energy cosmic events in unprecedented detail.

### Legacy and Successor
ASTRO-E’s loss was a setback, but its scientific objectives were continued by Suzaku, which launched in 2005. Suzaku, also known as ASTRO-E2, carried similar instruments and successfully completed its mission, ensuring the legacy of ASTRO-E. The mission’s failure highlighted the challenges of space exploration and the importance of reliable launch systems.

## References

1. [Source](http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/astro-e.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/astro-e.htm)
4. [Source](http://www.esa.int/esl/ESA_in_your_country/Spain/Europa_se_une_a_Japon_en_la_proxima_exploracion_del_cielo_infrarrojo/(print))
5. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/a/astroe.html)