Abstract
Abstract We describe the flight performance of the cryogenic system of the infrared astronomical satellite AKARI, which was successfully launched on 2006 February 21 (UT). AKARI carries a 68.5 cm telescope together with two focal-plane instruments, Infrared Cameras and Far Infrared Surveyor, all of which are cooled down to cryogenic temperature to achieve superior sensitivity. AKARI has a unique cryogenic system, which consists of cryogen (liquid helium) and mechanical coolers (2-stage Stirling coolers). With the help of mechanical coolers, 179 L (26.0 kg) of super-fluid liquid helium can keep the instruments cryogenically cooled for more than 500 days. The on-orbit performance of the AKARI cryogenics is consistent with the design and a pre-flight test, and the boil-off gas flow rate is as small as 0.32 mg s$^{-1}$. We observed an increase in the major axis of the AKARI orbit, which can be explained by thrust due to the thermal pressure of vented helium gas.
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