NASA-JAXA XRISM Satellite Launch Postponed Due To Bad Weather

The joint NASA-JAXA XRISM mission, which aims to investigate the universe using X-ray emissions, has been postponed due to bad weather. 

The launch, which was scheduled to take place on August 27, was delayed less than 30 minutes before lift-off due to severe upper winds. 

This is the third time the launch has been postponed due to poor weather conditions. The revised launch date and time have not yet been announced.

The XRISM satellite is designed to detect X-rays with high energy and will operate for three years in a low-Earth orbit. Its main objective is to study various cosmic processes, such as stellar explosions and particle jets launched by supermassive black holes. 

The satellite is equipped with a sophisticated X-ray calorimeter, which can gather spectral data from extended entities like intergalactic gas and accretion disks around black holes.

This is Japan’s fourth attempt to send an X-ray calorimeter into space. Previous attempts were unsuccessful due to various factors, including satellite crashes and malfunctions.

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Calorimeters are extremely sensitive instruments that require extremely low temperatures to function properly. 

The XRISM mission includes a multistage mechanical cooling system to maintain the working temperature of the calorimeter.

In addition to the calorimeter, the XRISM satellite also has a wide-field X-ray imager. It will share a ride with another payload, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), on the same rocket. 

SLIM will test the feasibility of landing on the lunar surface at a precise spot, marking JAXA’s inaugural mission for a lunar landing.

The launch of the H-2A rocket carrying a lunar probe and an X-ray astronomical satellite due to strong winds at high altitudes. 

The rocket, operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, was supposed to launch from the Tanegashima Space Center. 

Safety is a top priority, so the launch was delayed to ensure everything is safe. The new launch date is uncertain, but it won’t happen before Thursday and could even be as late as September 15.