Reentry Of Solar X-ray Observatory "Yohkoh" To Earth's Atmosphere
The Solar X-ray Observatory "Yohkoh" (SOLAR-A) is soon to re-enter the earth's atmosphere as it has completed its on-orbit life. It is analyzed that the frame of the Yohkoh will be burned and vanish at re-entry; therefore it will not fall to earth.
The Yohkoh was launched aboard M-3S-II Launch Vehicle Flight No. 6 on August 30, 1991, from the Uchinoura Space Center by the former Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of the then Ministry of Education (currently Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA) .
Because of the change in atmosphere density due to the Sun, it is impossible to predict the exact time and location of the re-entry. However, it is currently expected to happen around September 12, 2005 (Japan Standard Time, JST).
We will provide you with information about the re-entry as soon as it is confirmed.
For your information, Yohkoh's orbit at 2:57 a.m. on September 8, 2005 (JST), is as follows. Apogee altitude 247.7 Km, Perigee altitude 242.4 Km, Inclination 31.3 degrees, Period 89.3 minutes.
Copyright 2005 by Space Daily, Distributed United Press International