Re-entry of the Solar X-ray Observatory "Yohkoh" (SOLAR-A) to the Earth's Atmosphere
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Solar X-ray Observatory "Yohkoh" (SOLAR-A) is soon to re-enter the earth's atmosphere as it has completed its on-orbit life. It is analyzed that the frame of the Yohkoh will be burned and vanish at re-entry; therefore it will not fall to earth.
The Yohkoh was launched aboard M-3S-II Launch Vehicle Flight No. 6 on August 30, 1991, from the Uchinoura Space Center by the former Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of the then Ministry of Education (currently Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA) .
Because of the change in atmosphere density due to the Sun, it is impossible to predict the exact time and location of the re-entry. However, it is currently expected to happen around September 12, 2005 (Japan Standard Time, JST).
We will provide you with information about the re-entry as soon as it is confirmed.
For your information, Yohkoh's orbit at 2:57 a.m. on September 8, 2005 (JST), is as follows.
Yohkoh Orbit Data (at 2:57 a.m. on Sep. 8, 2005, JST)
| Apogee altitude | 247.7 Km |
| Perigee altitude | 242.4 Km |
| Inclination | 31.3 degrees |
| Period | 89.3 minutes |
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For inquiries:
JAXA Public Affairs Department
Tel: +81-3-6266-6413 to 7, Fax: +81-3-6266-6910