Skip to main content

Japanese Space Agency Lost Contact With New Orbital X-Ray Observatory

Sadly, this is probably not the beginning of a sci-fi movie. Probably.

Astro-H_illo_labels

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has lost communication with the Hitomi X-ray observatory recently put into orbit around the Earth. They’re still optimistic that things will turn out alright, but observations from the ground have been unable to pinpoint just what went so wrong with this groundbreaking X-ray observatory.

Recommended Videos

That’s disappointing to say the least, since Hitomi brought a new level of power and accuracy to X-ray astronomy and would have been able to observe emissions from black holes, the remnants of supernovae, and more like never before. Now, it’s spinning (literally, it seems) through the blackness of space just above the Earth in silence after the beginning of its operations—following its February 17 launch—failed on Saturday.

The Joint Space Operations Center reported yesterday that Hitomi had broken up into five separate pieces, but Science reports that JAXA says they made contact with the observatory after its reported breakup, which throws that observation into question. Amateur satellite trackers have reported seeing Hitmoi in full in a slow spin, which JAXA says shouldn’t impede their ability to communicate with it as long as its solar panels are getting power. They’re still actively trying to restore contact in hopes of finding out what went wrong, and Hitomi science working group chairperson Andrew Fabian told Science that a total loss of the satellite so far is “groundless speculation.”

So … while we’re all groundlessly speculating, I’d just like to point out how many sci-fi stories start with the mysterious loss of space apparatus. I don’t have hard numbers on this, but I think it’s something like “all of them,” give or take. So, I guess what I’m saying here is …

ancient-aliens-guy

But it’s also worth noting that the loss of Hitomi would be, in all seriousness, hugely disappointing to the scientific community at large as well as the individuals who were looking forward to working with Hitomi’s capabilities to learn more about the Universe than ever before. I hope the aliens give our toy back soon.

(featured image via JAXA/NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center)

—Please make note of The Mary Sue’s general comment policy.—

Do you follow The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Author
Dan Van Winkle
Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct <em>Geekosystem</em> (RIP), and then at <em>The Mary Sue</em> starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at <em>Smash Bros.</em>

Filed Under:

Follow The Mary Sue: