End of the critical operation period for the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed from the telemetry received from the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) that the power generation for the solar array paddles, communication with the ground, and the attitude control required to maintain these are normal. Confirmation has also been received that the cooling system of the soft X-ray spectrometer (Resolve) is operating stably. This marks the end of the critical operation period (*1).

 XRISM has entered the commissioning period (*2), which will last about three months to verify the functions of the satellite’s onboard equipment.

 We would like to express our profound appreciation to all related parties for their cooperation and support for the launch and tracking/control of the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, XRISM.

*1 Critical operation period

The period after the separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle until the satellite can maintain a stable and safe condition by deploying the solar array paddles and shifting the attitude control system to the control mode used for regular operations, and until the refrigerator of the soft X-ray spectrometer (Resolve) operates stably.

*2 Commissioning period

Period during which the functions of the entire satellite and onboard equipment, such as mission equipment, are checked.