This press release is issued by NASDA.
Mast Extension Operation of "Tsubasa" (MDS-1) and End of Critical Phase
National Space Development Agency of Japan
The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) conducted the Mast extension operation of "Tsubasa", the Mission Demonstration test Satellite-1 (MDS-1) and the magnetometer mast was extended normally at 1:52 a.m. on February 6, 2002 (Japan Standard Time).
The satellite condition is normal at present.
NASDA ended the critical phase of Tsubasa at the completion of the current operations already done and will bring Tsubasa into the initial orbit function phase to conduct a functional test for the equipment on board.
NASDA would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the related people and organizations for the cooperation to the launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.2 and the tracking/control of Tsubasa.
Additional Information:
| Mast Extension : | This is an operation to extend a magnetometer mast, which was retracted in the satellite at the launch time. |
| Magnetometer Mast : | This is a mast with the magnetometer, which measures the magnetic field in space and is mounted to the end of the mast. The mast can extend 3m in order to prevent electro magnetic interference from Tsubasa's body on the magnetic field measurement. |
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