Institute of Space and Astronautical Science


Institute of Space and Astronautical Science is a Japanese national research organization of astrophysics using rockets, astronomical satellites and interplanetary probes which played a major role in Japan's space development. Since 2003, it is a division of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

History

The ISAS originated as part of the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo, where Hideo Itokawa experimented with miniature solid-fuel rockets in the 1950s. This experimentation eventually led to the development of the Κ sounding rocket, which was used for observations during the International Geophysical Year. By 1960, the Κ-8 rocket had reached an altitude of 200 km.
In 1964, the rocket group and the Institute of Aeronautics, along with scientific ballooning team, were merged to form Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science within the University of Tokyo. The rocket evolved into the L series, and, in 1970, L-4S-5 was launched as Japan's first artificial satellite Ohsumi.
Although Lambda rockets were only sounding rockets, the next generation of M rockets was intended to be satellite launch vehicles from the start. Beginning in 1971, ISAS launched a series of scientific satellites to observe the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Since the launch of Hakucho in 1979, ISAS has had X-ray astronomy satellites consecutively in orbit, until it was briefly terminated by the launch failure of ASTRO-E.
In 1981, as a part of university system reform, and for the mission expansion, ISAS was spun out from University of Tokyo as an inter-university national research organization, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science.
In 2003, three national aerospace organizations including ISAS were merged to form Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The English name Institute of Space and Astronautical Science is still used, although the Japanese name was changed to 宇宙科学研究本部. In 2010, the name was changed back to the previous.

List of Satellites by ISAS

Before establishment of JAXA

After establishment of JAXA

Future missions