# Suzaku

> decommissioned Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q54375](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54375)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzaku_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suzaku-q54375

## Summary
Suzaku was a decommissioned Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite launched in 2005. It was designed to study high-energy cosmic phenomena, including black holes, galaxy clusters, and supernova remnants. The satellite operated for two years before decommissioning in 2015 due to a communications system failure.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: 2005-07-10 (03:30 UTC) from Uchinoura Space Center
- **Manufacturer**: Toshiba
- **Mass**: 1,680 kilograms (launch weight)
- **Operators**: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and NASA
- **Launch Vehicle**: M-V rocket (M-V-6)
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit
- **Service Life**: 2 years (design life)
- **Decommissioning**: 2015-09-02
- **Significant Events**: Liquid helium leak (2005), communications system failure (2015)
- **Aliases**: ASTRO-EII, ASTRO-E2

## FAQs
### Q: What was Suzaku's primary mission?
A: Suzaku was designed to observe X-rays from high-energy cosmic sources, such as black holes, galaxy clusters, and supernova remnants, to study the universe's extreme environments.

### Q: Who built Suzaku?
A: Suzaku was built by Toshiba, a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation, and operated by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and NASA.

### Q: Why was Suzaku decommissioned?
A: Suzaku was decommissioned in 2015 due to a failure in its communications system, which rendered it unable to transmit data to Earth.

### Q: What was Suzaku's launch vehicle?
A: Suzaku was launched aboard an M-V rocket (specifically M-V-6) from the Uchinoura Space Center on July 10, 2005.

### Q: How long did Suzaku operate?
A: Suzaku operated for approximately two years, though its design life was initially intended to be two years.

## Why It Matters
Suzaku played a crucial role in advancing X-ray astronomy by providing high-resolution observations of cosmic X-ray sources. Its instruments, including the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) and Hard X-ray Detector (HXD), allowed scientists to study the universe's most energetic phenomena in unprecedented detail. The satellite contributed to our understanding of black holes, galaxy clusters, and supernova remnants, helping to unravel the mysteries of high-energy astrophysics. Despite its early decommissioning, Suzaku's data continues to be analyzed and remains a valuable resource for astronomers.

## Notable For
- **First X-ray satellite with a microcalorimeter spectrometer**, enabling precise measurements of X-ray energies.
- **Studied the Perseus Cluster**, providing insights into the distribution of hot gas and dark matter.
- **Observed supernova remnants**, such as Cassiopeia A, to understand the aftermath of stellar explosions.
- **Collaborated with NASA**, sharing data and expertise to enhance global space science.
- **Developed by Toshiba**, marking the company's contribution to Japan's space exploration efforts.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Suzaku was a Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite launched on July 10, 2005, from the Uchinoura Space Center. It was the second in the ASTRO-E series, following the original ASTRO-E, which failed shortly after launch. Suzaku was designed to study high-energy cosmic phenomena, including black holes, galaxy clusters, and supernova remnants, using advanced X-ray instruments.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 1,680 kilograms at launch.
- **Power**: Two spacecraft solar arrays provided electrical power.
- **Instruments**: Included the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) and Hard X-ray Detector (HXD), which allowed for detailed spectral and imaging observations.
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit, enabling close observations of celestial objects.

### Significant Events
- **Launch**: Successful launch on July 10, 2005, using the M-V-6 rocket.
- **Liquid Helium Leak**: A leak in the liquid helium cooling system occurred between July 29 and August 8, 2005, affecting some of the satellite's instruments.
- **Communications Failure**: In June 2015, the satellite's communications system failed, rendering it unable to transmit data.
- **Decommissioning**: Suzaku was officially decommissioned on September 2, 2015, after a total operational period of approximately two years.

### Scientific Contributions
Suzaku's observations contributed to several key discoveries, including:
- Detailed studies of the Perseus Cluster, revealing the distribution of hot gas and dark matter.
- Insights into supernova remnants, such as Cassiopeia A, helping to understand the aftermath of stellar explosions.
- Enhanced understanding of black holes and their environments.

### Legacy
Despite its early decommissioning, Suzaku's data remains a valuable resource for astronomers. Its instruments and mission design set new standards for X-ray astronomy, influencing future satellite missions. The satellite's collaboration with NASA and its development by Toshiba highlight Japan's contributions to global space science.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/astro-e.htm)
2. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/a/astroe.html)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/2016/11/17/spent-japanese-satellite-sight-see/94037816/)
6. [Source](https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2015/08/20150826_suzaku.html)