The Japanese X-ray satellite called Astro-E is scheduled to be launched in February.

ROSAT, the X-ray satellite that span out of control three weeks ago, was restarted last week.

The astronomers used an orbiting X-ray satellite called Chandra to observe hot gases in the distant galactic clusters.

Had they waited only a few hours later, all the X-ray satellites would have been armed and the cylinder would have been closed.

So for decades, astronomers have launched X-ray satellites to study these sources and other high-energy displays in the heavens.

Asuka is the fourth Japanese X-ray satellite since 1979.

It also works well with a broad range of X-ray satellites.

These two are the only X-ray satellites now working, although some Western astronomers doubt that the Japanese can continue to control both with their small team.

The 386 pulsar, first observed in 1997 by a Japanese X-ray satellite, had been estimated to be 24,000 years old.

In contrast, the Japanese launched a second X-ray satellite, Tenma (Astro-B).