Sakigake
Type
Flyby
Launch
Jan. 7, 1985
Target
Comet 1P/Halley
Objective
Flyby of Comet Halley
Goals:
Sakigake was to fly by Comet Halley as a practice mission for Japan, in preparation for the launch of Suisei, the nation’s primary mission to the comet.
Accomplishments:
Sakigake flew by comet Halley at a distance of about 4 million miles (7 million kilometers). When ESA’s Giotto spacecraft transmitted radio signals from within the comet’s coma, Sakigake served as a reference vehicle, which permitted scientists to subtract the effects of Earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere. The Japanese spacecraft also flew through and provided information about Earth’s magnetic tail.
