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X-ray Astronomy Satellite “Hitomi” (ASTRO-H)
Orbit Calculation Result

February 18, 2016 (JST)

National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that the X-ray Astronomy Satellite “Hitomi” (ASTRO-H) was injected into the planned orbit as follows after its orbit calculation.


Orbit Calculation Result
Actual value Planned value
Apogee altitude 576.5 km 575.0 km
Perigee altitude 574.4 km 574.0 km
Inclination 31.0 deg 31.0 deg
Period 96.2 min 96.2 min


Hitomi is now in a stable condition.



(Next press release)

We will inform you of the completion of the Hitomi’s critical operation phase (*) in the next press release, which is schedule to be released on Feb. 28 (Sun.) The release date is subject to change.

* Critical operation phase
The critical operation phase is a period from the separation from the launch vehicle till the establishment of the stable operation in space including the deployment of the solar array paddles and verification of the attitude control system and tracking and control facility functions.

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