1
$\begingroup$

Hagoromo was a ~36cm nano satellite that was deployed by Hiten while Hiten was in a highly elliptical orbit around the earth, in 1990.

From there, Hagoromo was able to enter into an orbit around the moon. Also see this question and any answers that may be there.

How was this done exactly? Was it purely ballistic capture (which still requires a tiny amount of thrust I think?) or more of a propulsive maneuver to enter into a lunar orbit?

What kind of propulsion and attitude control (if any) did Hagoromo actually have?

enter image description here

above: from Gunter's Space Page

enter image description here

above: from Jaxa hitorical photos (found by googling "はごろも JAXA"). Hagoromo is the little one on the left, deployed for capture into lunar orbit from Hiten on the right as it passed near the moon in its highly elongated orbit around the earth - quite a cool robotic maneuver for a nano satellite in 1990 (and that's only the beginning of Hiten's story.)

enter image description here

above: from http://usi.kir.jp/CIA/ISAS/USI_cia_DS.html - models (presumably) of Hagoromo sitting on top of Hiten.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3
$\begingroup$

From the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive entry on Hagoromo,

A solid propellant (KM-L) retrorocket with a mass of 4 kg was mounted inside the spacecraft for orbit insertion.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ With a nine pound firecracker like that, it must have had some kind of attitude control as well - be it passive or active. I wonder if it was somehow at least spin-stabilized? $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Jul 19, 2016 at 5:28
  • $\begingroup$ I'll go look that up somehow. In the mean time, clearly it's the "or more propulsive" option. $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Jul 26, 2016 at 0:10
  • $\begingroup$ I've just asked How could tiny nanosatellite Hagoromo with a 4 kg solid propellant rocket inside maintain attitude control? $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Jan 7, 2019 at 5:38

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.