MU LAUNCH VEHICLES AND SPACE IN JAPAN

摘要

The Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (ISAS), the University of Tokyo, succeeded in launching Japan's first satellite "OHSUMI" with the L (viz. Lambda) rocket in 1970. Since then, the M (viz. Mu) rocket series has undergone successive improvements, and has successfully sent many scientific satellites into orbit. Space science using M launch vehicles in Japan has thus attained fruitful results including world-leading achievements in X-ray astronomy and space plasma physics. In order to meet the demands of space science in every respective stage of the time, ISAS put together all her technologies cultivated through the history of M series rocket development, and succeeded in developing the latest version M-V (viz. M-5) launch vehicle. With the advent of this new launch vehicle, Japan's space science can be said to have entered into a new era for solar system exploration This paper describes the whole process through which M launch vehicles and space science of Japan have stepped up to the present stage hand in hand.