X-ray astronomy satellite Tenma.

The instrument payload and performance characteristics of the X-ray astronomy satellite Tenma are described. Tenma is a spin-stabilized satellite which maintains a circular orbit at an altitude of about 500 km, and an angle of incination of 31.5 deg. Tenma's instrument payload consists of an array of gas scintillation proportional counters with an effective area of 720 sq cm and an energy range of 2-60 keV; grazing incidence X-ray focussing collectors for observations below 2 keV; and Hadamard mask telescopes for continuous monitoring of a wide (45-deg) field. The data acquisition and tracking equipment for the satellite are also described. A color photograph of the satellite is provided, and the design configurations of the X-ray detectors are illustrated in line drawings and schematic diagrams.