# Suisei

> Japanese space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q516725](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q516725)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suisei_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suisei

## Summary
Suisei is a Japanese space probe launched in 1985, primarily designed to study Halley's Comet during its 1986 flyby. It was the first spacecraft to observe a comet from close range, providing valuable scientific data on its composition and behavior.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Japanese space probe and artificial satellite of the Sun (heliocentric orbit)
- **Launch Date**: August 18, 1985
- **Launch Vehicle**: M-3S2
- **Launch Site**: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- **Mass**: 139.5 kg (launch weight)
- **Power Consumption**: 100 watts
- **Significant Event**: Successfully flew by Halley's Comet on March 8, 1986, at a distance of 151,000 km
- **Aliases**: Planet-A, بلانيت-أي, بلانت-أي, بلانيت A
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-073A
- **NAIF ID**: -47

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of Suisei?
A: Suisei was designed to study Halley's Comet during its 1986 flyby, providing close-range observations of the comet's nucleus, coma, and tail.

### Q: How did Suisei contribute to comet research?
A: Suisei was the first spacecraft to observe a comet from such proximity, offering detailed data on Halley's Comet's structure and behavior, which enhanced scientific understanding of comets.

### Q: What was the distance of Suisei's closest approach to Halley's Comet?
A: Suisei flew within 151,000 kilometers of Halley's Comet on March 8, 1986, capturing high-resolution images and measurements.

### Q: Who operated Suisei?
A: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) operated Suisei, which was launched from the Uchinoura Space Center using an M-3S2 rocket.

### Q: What other celestial bodies did Suisei encounter?
A: In addition to Halley's Comet, Suisei performed a flyby of Earth on August 20, 1992, at a distance of 900,000 kilometers.

## Why It Matters
Suisei played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of comets by providing the first close-up observations of Halley's Comet. Its data contributed significantly to the global scientific community's knowledge of cometary composition, structure, and behavior. The mission demonstrated Japan's growing capabilities in space exploration and reinforced the importance of international collaboration in planetary science. Suisei's success paved the way for future comet missions and deepened humanity's exploration of the solar system.

## Notable For
- **First Close-Up Comet Observation**: Suisei was the first spacecraft to study a comet from such proximity, revolutionizing comet science.
- **Halley's Comet Flyby**: Its 1986 encounter with Halley's Comet provided unprecedented data on the comet's nucleus and coma.
- **Japanese Space Achievement**: Suisei marked a milestone in Japan's space exploration efforts, showcasing its technological advancements.
- **International Collaboration**: The mission supported global efforts to study comets, aligning with broader planetary science goals.
- **Earth Flyby**: Suisei's 1992 Earth flyby demonstrated its versatility in exploring multiple celestial bodies.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Suisei (Planet-A) was a Japanese space probe launched on August 18, 1985, from the Uchinoura Space Center using an M-3S2 rocket. Operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), its primary objective was to study Halley's Comet during its 1986 flyby.

### Scientific Contributions
Suisei's instruments captured high-resolution images and measurements of Halley's Comet, including its nucleus, coma, and tail. The data provided insights into the comet's composition and behavior, contributing to global comet research.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 139.5 kg at launch
- **Power**: 100 watts
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 1985-073A, NAIF ID -47

### Significant Events
- **Halley's Comet Flyby**: March 8, 1986, at 151,000 km distance
- **Earth Flyby**: August 20, 1992, at 900,000 km distance

### Legacy
Suisei's mission laid the groundwork for future comet studies and highlighted Japan's growing role in space exploration. Its data remains a valuable resource for planetary science.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)