NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Denpa

Launch Time
Sat Aug 19, 1972 02:40 UTC

Last flight of Mu-IV S.

Rocket

Mu-IV S
ISAS
Status: Retired
Payload to LEO: 180 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 8
Rocket Height: 23.6 m

Mission Details

Denpa

REXS (Radiation Experiments Satellite) or Denpa was a spacecraft with a diameter of 75 cm, an octagonal column form, and a height of 75 cm. Three antennas, each 2 m long, were extended from the main structure. A fluxgate magnetometer sensor was located on the boom 0.5 m from the base. The satellite was spin-stabilized at about 3 rps. Power was supplied from 5000 silicon N-P solar cells mounted on the octagonal faces to supply minimum average power of 13 w. Data from experiments were stored in a tape recorder and transmitted from the 136-mHz PCM telemeter by ground command.

The primary objectives of Denpa were to measure electromagnetic waves, plasma waves, ambient electron density, energetic electron flux, cyclotron wave instability, and magnetic disturbances in the ionosphere and the lower magnetosphere.

The satellite stopped transmitting radio signals several days after launch. Therefore no scientific results were obtained from this mission. The final report concluded that the satellite malfunction was due to high voltage arching that occurred after instrument turn on.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 75.0 kg
Medium Earth Orbit

Location

Mu Pad, Uchinoura Space Center, Japan

Stats

1972

68th orbital launch attempt

Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science

4th mission
1st mission of 1972
3rd successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission

Mu-IV

4th mission
1st mission of 1972
3rd successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission