Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

or ISAS,ISAS is an acronym.  ISAS stands for "Institute of Space and Astronautical Science". is a Japanese national research organization. ISAS studies astrophysics using rockets and satellites.  ISAS is part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), "About ISAS"; retrieved 2012-4-2.

 History 
The ISAS began at the University of Tokyo in the 1955.JAXA, "History of ISAS" ; retrieved 2012-4-2.

In 1994, Japan launched its first large rocket built solely with its own technology.  According to Shigebumi Saito, former head of Japan's Space Activities Commission, "If we have no vehicle, it is like a navy without ships," Pollack, Andrew.  "First Big Space Rocket Is Launched by Japanese," New York Times. February 4, 1994; retrieved 2012-4-16.

ISAS was merged with two other space agencies in 2003 when JAXA was established.The English name Institute of Space and Astronautical Science is still used. For a short time, the Japanese name was changed to 宇宙科学研究本部, (literally, Space Science Research Division).  In 2010, the name was changed back to the previous .

 List of Satellites by ISAS 
 Before establishment of JAXA 
 Launch date    Name before launch    Name after launch    Mission February 11, 1970   ŌsumiNussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Ōsumi" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 762.  Technology demonstration February 16, 1971  MS-T1  Tansei  Technology demonstration September 28, 1971 MS-F2  Shinsei  Ionosphere / cosmic-ray / solar-radio observation August 19, 1972  REXS  Denpa  Ionosphere / magnetosphere observation February 16, 1974  MS-T2  Tansei 2  Technology experiment February 24, 1975  SRATS  Taiyo  Thermosphere and sun February 19, 1977  MS-T3  Tansei 3  Technology experiment February 4, 1978  EXOS-A  Kyokko  Aurora and ionosphere September 16, 1978  EXOS-B  Jikiken  Magnetosphere and thermosphere observation February 21, 1979  CORSA-b  Hakucho  X-ray astronomy February 17, 1980  MS-T4  Tansei 4  Technology experiment February 21, 1981  ASTRO-A  Hinotori  Solar X-ray observation February 20, 1983  ASTRO-B  Tenma  X-ray astronomy February 14, 1984  EXOS-C  Ohzora  Mesosphere observation January 8, 1985  MS-T5  Sakigake  Technology experiment / Comet observation August 19, 1985  PLANET-A  Suisei  Comet observation August 19, 1987  ASTRO-C  Ginga  X-ray astronomy February 22, 1989  EXOS-D  Akebono  Aurora observation January 24, 1990  MUSES-A  Hiten  Interplanetary technology experiment August 30, 1991  SOLAR-A  Yohkoh  Solar X-ray observation (with NASA / UK) July 24, 1992  GEOTAIL  GEOTAIL  Magnetosphere observation (with NASA) February 20, 1993  ASTRO-DPollack, Andrew.  "Japan's Satellite to Peer at Far Corner of Universe," New York Times. February 21, 1993; retrieved 2012-4-16.  ASCA  X-ray astronomy (with NASA) March 18, 1995  SFU  SFU  Multi-purpose experiment flyer (with NASDA / NEDO / USEF) February 12, 1997  MUSES-B  HALCA  Space VLBI technology development July 4, 1998  PLANET-B  Nozomi  Mars atmosphere observation May 9, 2003  MUSES-C  Hayabusa  Planetary sample return technology development

 After establishment of JAXA 
 Launch date    Name before launch    Name after launch    Mission July 10, 2005  ASTRO-EII  Suzaku  X-ray astronomy February 21, 2006  ASTRO-F  Akari  Infrared astronomy  September 22, 2006  SOLAR-B  HinodeYoshida, Norimasa et al.  "Systemic Approach to Achieve Fine Pointing Requirement of Solar-B," in Automatic Control in Aerospace 2004 (ed., Alexander Nebylov), p. 101; excerpt, "The satellite is under development by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ISAS/JAXA) and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)."  Solar observation September 13, 2007  SELENE KaguyaMCurry, Justin. "Japan launches biggest moon mission since Apollo landings," Guardian (UK). September 15, 2007; retrieved 2012-4-17.  Lunar probe May 20, 2010  PLANET-C  Akatsuki  Venus atmosphere observation

Related pages
 List of Independent Administrative Institutes in Japan

References 

 Other websites 

 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, ISAS site map 

Category:Japanese space program
Category:1955 establishments in Japan
Category:Space research organizations
Category:Scientific organizations based in Japan
Category:Kanagawa Prefecture