Experiment

Initial function checkouts of MAXI and SEDA-AP began

Initial function checkouts of MAXI^*1 and SEDA-AP^*2 began on orbit.

*1 MAXI: Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image

*2 SEDA-AP: Space Environment Data Acquisition equipment - Attached Payload

Initial function checkout of MAXI and SEDA, both installed on Kibo's Exposed Facility (EF) during the STS-127 (2J/A) Mission, began at 9:35 a.m. August 3, and at 0:48 a.m. August 4, respectively, with telecommands sent from the User Operations Area (UOA) at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC). The initial function checkout will check and verify whether the sensors and equipment of the experiment achieved the expected level of functionality on orbit.

The followings are the items tested and verified on Day 1 of the initial function checkouts.

For MAXI

• Activation of each component
• Data communication functions
• Star tracking functions

For SEDA-AP

• Activation of each component
• Extension of the mast which is equipped with a Neutron Monitor (NEM)

The initial function test on MAXI will continue for the following three months, and the test on SEDA-AP will continue for the following two weeks. Both external experiments will begin their respective operations after completing the initial function checkouts.

MAXI Project team members monitor initial activation of MAXI at UOA
Principle Investigator Masaru Matsuoka, Riken (back left)

SEDA-AP Project team members monitor initial activation of SEDA-AP at UOA
Principal Investigator Goka Tateo, JAXA（back, fourth from right）

*All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)