New concept of small satellite, HETE-2 and its scientific activity

M. Matsuoka, N. Kawai, A. Yoshida, T. Tamagawa, Y. Shirasaki, M. Suzuki, Y. Nakagawa, T. Sakamoto, R. Sato, G. Ricker, J. Doty, R. Vanderspek, G. Crew, J. Vilasenor, J. L. Atteia, E. E. Fenimore, M. Galassi, D. Q. Lamb, C. Graziani, K. HurleyJ. G. Jernigan, S. Woosley, F. Martel, G. Monnelly, G. Prigozhin, J. F. Olive, J. P. Dezalay, M. Boer, T. Cline, J. Braga, R. Manchanda, G. Pizzichini, A. Levine, E. Morgan, N. Butler, T. Kotani, J. Kotoku, K. Torii, Y. Urata, M. Arimoto, N. Ishikawa, A. Kobayashi, M. Maeto, T. Shimokawabe, S. Sugita, K. Tanaka, M. Yamauchi

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

HETE-2 (High Energy Transient Explorer-2) has made remarkable observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) since HETE-2 was launched in October, 2000. HETE-2 can perform the prompt notification of gamma-ray bursts with onboard computer and ground receiving system. The concept of data processing system of HETE-2 is contrived to follow a short bursting astronomical objects such as gamma-ray bursts. HETE-2 is the first small satellite which has achieved a prompt alert system of gamma-ray burst locations calculated by onboard computer. Thus researchers of gamma-ray bursts can access the accurate location of bursts observed with HETE-2 through internet. HETE-2 has observed many gamma-ray bursts alerted their locations; i.e., a few to several bursts every month. Thus, optical, radio and X-ray observatories have made follow-up observations promptly. As a result a considerable number of optical transients are discovered and then their detailed observations are made. In this paper we report a unique concept of HETE-2, a gamma-ray observation satellite and some remarkable results obtained by HETE-2.

Original languageEnglish
Pages2092-2098
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Astronautical Federation - 56th International Astronautical Congress 2005 - Fukuoka, Japan
Duration: 17 Oct 200521 Oct 2005

Conference

ConferenceInternational Astronautical Federation - 56th International Astronautical Congress 2005
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityFukuoka
Period17/10/0521/10/05

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