GINGA, which means "galaxy" in Japanese, is the third Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite. GINGA, formerly known as Astro-C, was launched by the M-3SII-3 rocket at 15h30m (JST), February 5, 1987, from Kagoshima Space Center (KSC). The observation period ended on November 1, 1991, when Ginga reentered the earth's atmosphere.
For General (ISAS official page)
