ASCA Re-entered on March 2, 2001

ASCA satellite has lost its 8 years life by re-entering the atmosphere at 14:21 (JST) on March 2, 2001. The location of the re-entry is 8.2 degrees S and 163.2 degrees E in the pacific ocean.

ASCA was launched by the M-3SII-7 rocket on February 20, 1993. It is the fourth Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite succeeding to HAKUCHO, TENMA and GINGA. Being equipped with the X-ray telescopes and two kinds of focal plane detectors, the X-ray CCD cameras and the gas scintillation proportional counters, ASCA explored new area of X-ray observations. Various type of discoveries and new insight have been reported in more than 1000 papers of refereed journals, so far. One of the greatest features of this mission is the international collaboration in the hardware, software and science. We would like to appreciate those who played important roles in preparation, operation of the ASCA satellite, and in data analysis and publication. The successful 8-year-life of ASCA was made possible by the efforts of those people.

Today we lost the ASCA satellite, we have treasured for 8 years, just after the loss of our great leader, Professor Minoru Oda, yesterday. In order to enhance our activity in this field, we are going to start the preparation of Astro-E-II from April 2001 for the launch in January-February 2005. We do hope your continuous support to our future programs.