Astrophysics
HALCA (Highly Advanced Laboratory for Communication and Astronomy), a.k.a. VSOP (Very Large Baseline Interferometry Space Observatory Programme) or Muses-B, is the first astronomical satellite dedicated to Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). It was launched on its maiden flight by ISAS's M-5 [KM-V1] launch vehicle from Kagoshima Space Center on 12 February 1997.
Orbital Attempt
#4,124
ISAS Mission
#29
Pad Launch
#24
Location Launch
#29
Designator
1997-005
Feb 12, 1997, 4:50 AM
1 update
The Uchinoura Space Center is a space launch facility in the Japanese town of Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Prefecture. All of Japan's scientific satellites were launched from Uchinoura prior to the M-V launch vehicles being decommissioned in 2006. It continues to be used for suborbital launches, stratospheric balloons and has also been used for the Epsilon orbital launch vehicle. Additionally, the center has antennas for communication with interplanetary space probes.
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Local Launch Time
Feb 12, 1997, 1:50 PM
Total Launches
43
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
31.2519, 131.0819
