Flight Operation of SFU (Space Flyer Unit)

Abstract

SFU was launched by the NASDA H-11 Rocket in March 1995 and reached a circular orbit of 486 km altitude. The observation of astronomical infrared light and space biology experiment with newts have been successfully completed so far. Science and technology experiments, industrial ex­periments using furnaces, and JEM (Japanese Experiment Module)-related experiments are under way. After the science mission, SFU ;illbe retrieved by the Space Shuttle orbiter (STS-72) in De­cember this year. This report describes how the flight operation is conducted to control SFU, including mission planning, control facilities and stations, control team organization, and operation proce­dure.