# X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission

> Japanese X-ray space telescope

**Wikidata**: [Q39053896](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39053896)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Ray_Imaging_and_Spectroscopy_Mission)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/x-ray-imaging-and-spectroscopy-mission

## Summary
The X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a Japanese X-ray space telescope designed for X-ray astronomy. Launched on September 6, 2023, the satellite is a joint operation between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It serves as the successor to the Hitomi satellite and operates in a low Earth orbit to perform spectroscopic and imaging observations.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** September 6, 2023, at 23:42:11 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** H-IIA (specifically H-IIA-47).
- **Launch Site:** Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.
- **Operators:** Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Mass:** 2,300 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Orbit:** Periapsis of 572.6 km; Apoapsis of 586.9 km.
- **Predecessor:** Replaces the Hitomi satellite.
- **Principal Investigator:** Makoto Tashiro.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2023-137A.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission?
A: XRISM is an X-ray astronomy satellite designed to conduct observations of celestial objects. It carries an X-ray telescope to perform imaging and spectroscopy.

### Q: When was XRISM launched and where from?
A: The mission launched on September 6, 2023, from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1 using an H-IIA rocket.

### Q: Who operates the XRISM satellite?
A: The satellite is jointly operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: What satellite does XRISM replace?
A: XRISM replaces the Hitomi satellite, functioning as a recovery mission for the X-ray astronomy capabilities lost with Hitomi.

## Why It Matters
The X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission represents a critical step in the recovery and advancement of X-ray astronomy capabilities following the loss of the Hitomi satellite. As a collaborative effort between JAXA and NASA, the mission reinforces international cooperation in space science, combining Japanese engineering with international scientific oversight. The satellite provides essential data in the X-ray spectrum, a field that requires space-based observation due to the atmosphere's absorption of X-rays. By maintaining a stable low Earth orbit and utilizing advanced instrumentation like the X-ray telescope under the leadership of Principal Investigator Makoto Tashiro, XRISM enables scientists to study high-energy phenomena in the universe. The mission is notable not just for its scientific payload, but for its rapid deployment as a successor mission to ensure continuity in astronomical data collection.

## Notable For
- **Mission Succession:** Serving as the direct successor to the Hitomi (ASTRO-H) satellite.
- **Rideshare Launch:** Launching jointly with the "Smart Lander for Investigating Moon" (SLIM) on the same H-IIA flight.
- **Orbital Precision:** Operating in a specific low Earth orbit ranging between 572.6 km and 586.9 km.
- **International Collaboration:** Being a joint project between JAXA and NASA with a Japanese Principal Investigator.
- **Nomenclature:** Also known by the aliases XARM (X-ray Astronomy Recovery Mission) and ASTRO-H2.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Launch
The X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a spacecraft classified as an X-ray astronomy satellite. Developed with Japan as the country of origin, the mission was executed to recover capabilities for the astronomical community. The satellite was successfully launched on September 6, 2023. The launch took place at 23:42:11 UTC from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1. The launch vehicle utilized was the Japanese expendable medium-lift rocket, the H-IIA (model H-IIA-47). This specific launch event was a significant orbital deployment, carrying XRISM as a primary payload alongside the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).

### Technical Specifications
XRISM has a total launch mass of 2,300 kilograms. The spacecraft is powered by two solar arrays, which provide the necessary electrical power for its systems and instruments. The satellite was inserted into a low Earth orbit, with a periapsis (lowest point) of 572.6 kilometers and an apoapsis (highest point) of 586.9 kilometers above Earth. The primary scientific instrument carried by the satellite is an X-ray telescope.

### Governance and Operations
The mission is a collaborative project managed by two primary space agencies: the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The scientific leadership is provided by Principal Investigator Makoto Tashiro. The mission maintains a digital presence through official websites in both Japanese and English and operates an official Twitter account (@XRISM_jp), which was established in January 2021. The satellite is tracked under the COSPAR ID 2023-137A and NSSDCA ID 2023-137A.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/xrism.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=57800)
4. [Source](https://xrism.isas.jaxa.jp/en/structure/)