JAXA

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national air and space agency. It started in 2003 by joining three space groups. JAXA does many cool things, like sending satellites into space, looking at asteroids, and planning trips to the Moon.

JAXA has done many great things. It sent the SELENE orbiter around the Moon and tried to land on the Moon with the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon. The Hayabusa probe was the first to bring pieces from an asteroid back to Earth in 2010. Another mission, Hayabusa2, sent tiny robots to study an asteroid. JAXA also looked at Venus with the Akatsuki spacecraft.

JAXA works with space agencies all over the world. It helps with the International Space Station (ISS) by making parts and sending supplies. Japanese astronauts have flown to space to work on the ISS. JAXA also makes rockets like the H3 rocket to launch its missions.

History

See also: Japanese space program

On October 1, 2003, three groups joined together to create JAXA, Japan's space agency. These groups were the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the National Aerospace Laboratory, and the National Space Development Agency. JAXA is managed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Before joining JAXA, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science focused on space and planet research. It was especially good at studying X-ray astronomy and Very Long Baseline Interferometry. The National Aerospace Laboratory worked on aviation research. The National Space Development Agency, started in 1969, built rockets and satellites and helped train astronauts.

Rockets

JAXA uses the H-IIA rocket to launch satellites. They made a new rocket called H3 to replace the H-II series. For smaller launches, JAXA uses the Epsilon rocket. They also use special rockets like the SS-520, S-520, and S-310 to study the upper atmosphere.

Japan launched its first satellite, Ohsumi, in 1970. JAXA was formed in 2003 to manage Japan’s space program. They improved the H-IIA rocket to make it more reliable. In 2023, JAXA began using the new H3 rocket to launch satellites more effectively.

Lunar and interplanetary missions

Japan started its space journeys beyond Earth with spacecraft to watch Halley's Comet in 1985, called Sakigake and Suisei. In 1990, Japan tested a spacecraft called Hiten to orbit the Moon. The first mission to another planet was to Mars with the spacecraft Nozomi in 1998, but it had some problems and could not fully reach Mars.

Today, Japan continues to explore space with many active missions like PLANET-C, IKAROS, and Hayabusa2. Other missions being developed include MMX and DESTINY⁺. Past missions include PLANET-B, SELENE, MUSES-C, and SLIM, LEV-1, LEV-2. Some missions, like LUNAR-A, were not completed.

Small body exploration: Hayabusa mission

See also: Hayabusa and Hayabusa2

In 2003, the spacecraft Hayabusa was launched. Its goal was to collect samples from a small rock called 25143 Itokawa floating near Earth. It reached the rock in 2005 and brought samples back to Earth in 2010. This was the first time a spacecraft brought samples from such a small object back to our planet.

A later mission, Hayabusa2, launched in 2014, collected samples from another rock called 162173 Ryugu and returned them to Earth in 2020.

Lunar exploration

Main article: Japanese Lunar Exploration Program

After Hiten in 1990, Japan planned a mission called LUNAR-A but stopped it in 2007 due to technical issues.

In 2007, Japan launched Kaguya, a big spacecraft to study the Moon. It entered orbit around the Moon and collected important information until it ended its mission in 2009.

In 2023, Japan launched its first mission to land on the Moon called SLIM. It successfully landed in January 2024, becoming the fifth country to land on the Moon. Although it had some problems with its power supply, the mission was considered a success because it landed very close to its target spot.

Planetary exploration

Japan’s missions to planets have mainly focused on studying magnetic fields and atmospheres close to the Sun. The Mars explorer Nozomi had difficulties but passed close to Mars. In 2010, Japan launched the Venus explorer Akatsuki and the solar sail demonstrator IKAROS. Akatsuki finally entered orbit around Venus in 2015, sixteen years later than planned, and began studying Venus’s thick clouds.

Japan is also involved in international missions, such as contributing to the JUICE mission to Jupiter. Japan is planning a new mission called MMX to visit the moons of Mars, launching in 2026.

See also: BepiColombo

Solar sail research

Further information: IKAROS

In 2004, Japan tested small solar sails from a rocket. In 2010, the IKAROS solar sail was launched and became the first spacecraft to successfully use solar sail technology in space. The goal is to use this technology for future missions to faraway places like Jupiter.

Astronomy program

See also: Scientific research on the ISS

Japan's first astronomy mission was the X-ray satellite Hakucho, launched in 1979. Later, the country studied the Sun, radio waves, and infrared light.

Active Missions: SOLAR-B, MAXI, SPRINT-A, CALET, XRISM
Under Development:
Retired: HALCA, ASTRO-F, ASTRO-EII, and ASTRO-H
Cancelled(C)/Failed(F): ASTRO-E (F), ASTRO-G (C),

Infrared astronomy

Japan started infrared astronomy in 1995 with the 15-cm IRTS telescope on the SFU satellite. JAXA's first infrared satellite was Akari, launched in 2006 to study the universe in infrared light.

JAXA is working on a new mission called SPICA, which would be much colder than older satellites. This mission may launch in 2027 or 2028 but needs more money.

X-ray astronomy

See also: ASTRO-H and XRISM

Japan began X-ray astronomy in 1979 with Hakucho. After a failed launch in 2000, JAXA launched Suzaku in 2005. This satellite helped study X-ray objects in space.

The next mission, Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI), watches X-ray objects and is on the ISS. Another mission, Hitomi, launched in 2016 to keep doing this work.

Solar observation

Japan started studying the Sun in the 1980s with the Hinotori mission. The Hinode spacecraft launched in 2006 to study the Sun. Future missions like SOLAR-C are planned but not fully detailed yet.

Radio astronomy

In 1997, Japan launched HALCA, the first spacecraft to study pulsars using space VLBI. The mission ended in 2005. A follow-up mission, ASTRO-G, was canceled in 2011.

Communication, positioning and technology tests

JAXA tests new space tools to help talk between Earth and space. In 1975, it sent its first test satellite called ETS-I. In 2018, JAXA worked with Sony to try a new way to send messages using light from the space station.

In 2025, JAXA is helping Japan Airlines test a special coating for airplanes. This coating can help planes save fuel and reduce pollution. JAXA also keeps working on communication tests with NICT.

Active Missions: INDEX, QZS-1, SLATS, QZS-2, QZS-3, QZS-4, QZS-1R
Under Development: ETS-IX
Retired: OICETS, ETS-VIII, WINDS

i-Space : ETS-VIII, WINDS and QZS-1

Japan started a project called i-Space to improve its communication technology. In 2006, JAXA sent up ETS-VIII to test big antennas and a special clock. The antennas opened up just as planned.

In 2008, JAXA launched WINDS, also called "KIZUNA", to try faster Internet links from space. It worked well until it stopped working in 2019.

In 2010, JAXA sent up QZS-1, the first of a group of satellites to help with GPS. More satellites came after, and a new one for QZS-1 is planned to launch soon.

OICETS and INDEX

In 2005, JAXA sent up two test satellites called OICETS and INDEX. OICETS worked with a satellite far away in space to test new ways of sending messages with light. This test worked great.

INDEX is a small satellite that helps test different tools and watch the beautiful lights in the sky called the aurora. It is still up there doing its job.

Earth observation program

Japan launched its first Earth observation satellites, MOS-1a and MOS-1b, in 1987 and 1990. In later years, some satellites stopped working earlier than planned.

Active Missions: GOSAT, GCOM-W, ALOS-2, GCOM-C, GOSAT-2
Retired/Failed (R/F): ALOS (R), ALOS-3 (F)

ALOS

In 2006, JAXA launched the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS/Daichi). It used a special satellite called Kodama to talk to Japan. Later, JAXA made separate satellites for different kinds of observations. ALOS-2 was launched in 2014. Sadly, ALOS-3 was lost during a launch in 2023, but ALOS-4 was launched successfully in 2024. A new successor to ALOS-3 is planned for around 2027.

Rainfall observation

Because Japan often has typhoons, studying rain is important. In 1997, Japan and NASA launched the TRMM satellite to watch tropical rainfall. Later, JAXA and NASA launched the GPM Core Observatory in 2014. GPM gives detailed measurements of rain around the world and works with satellites from other countries.

Monitoring of carbon dioxide

In 2008, JAXA launched the GOSAT satellite to watch carbon dioxide in the air. This helps scientists learn how carbon dioxide moves around the world. A successor, GOSAT-2, was launched in 2018, followed by GOSAT-GW in 2025.

GCOM series

After GOSAT, JAXA started the GCOM program to watch changes on Earth. This program includes six satellites. The first, GCOM-W (Shizuku), launched in 2012, and the second, GCOM-C (Shikisai), launched in 2017.

Satellites for other agencies

In February 2005, Japan launched a satellite called MTSAT-1R to help with weather observation. This launch was important because an earlier satellite, MTSAT-1, failed to reach space in 1999. Before MTSAT-1R, Japan used an older satellite and relied on systems from America for weather forecasting.

On February 18, 2006, Japan launched another satellite, MTSAT-2, using a H-2A rocket. MTSAT-2 serves as a backup for MTSAT-1R. Both satellites also help guide air traffic.

Other JAXA satellites currently in use

JAXA has several satellites that are still working today, such as the GEOTAIL magnetosphere observation satellite, which has been in use since 1992.

The agency works together with NASA on important projects like the Aqua Earth Observation Satellite and the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core satellite. JAXA also helped provide the Light Particle Telescope (LPT) for the 2008 Jason 2 satellite, which was made by the French CNES.

In May 2018, JAXA helped launch the first satellite made in Kenya from the Japanese Experiment Module on the International Space Station. This satellite, called 1KUNS-PF, was created by the University of Nairobi.

Completed missions

See also: List of JAXA launches

Decommissioned missions

• Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) joint NASA-JAXA weather satellite, 1997–2015 (decommissioned)
• Akebono Magnetosphere observation satellite, 1989–2015 (decommissioned)
• Suzaku X-ray astronomy satellite, 2005–2015 (decommissioned)
• ALOS Earth observation satellite, 2006–2011 (decommissioned)
• Akari, Infrared astronomy satellite, 2006–2011 (decommissioned)
• Hayabusa Asteroid sample return mission, 2003–2010 (decommissioned)
• OICETS, Technology demonstration, 2005–2009 (decommissioned)
• SELENE, Lunar orbiter, 2007–2009 (decommissioned)
• Micro Lab Sat 1, Small engineering mission, 2002 (decommissioned)
• HALCA, Space VLBI 1997–2005 (decommissioned)
• MDS-1, Technology Demonstration 2002–2003 (decommissioned)
• DRTS (Kodama) relay satellite, 2002-2017 (decommissioned)

Failed missions

• ASTRO-H X-ray astronomy satellite, 2016
• Nozomi, Mars Mission 1998–2003
• ADEOS 2 (Midori 2) Earth Observation 2002–2003

Future missions

See also: List of H-II series and H3 launches § Planned launches, and Epsilon (rocket) § Planned launches

Launch schedule

FY 2025

• ETS-IX
• HTV-X1
• Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4
• QZS-6
• QZS-7

FY 2026

• HTV-X2
• HTV-X3
• MMX: Remote sensing of Deimos, sample return from Phobos

FY 2027

• Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-5

FY 2028

• DESTINY⁺: Small technology test that will also watch asteroid 3200 Phaethon
• JASMINE: An astronomy telescope like the Gaia mission but looking in infrared light (2.2 μm) at the center of our galaxy.
• LUPEX: Moon lander and rover with ISRO
• Solar-C

FY 2029

• Comet Interceptor (led by ESA, Japan provides one spacecraft)
• Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-6

FY 2031

• Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-7

FY 2032

• LiteBIRD: A mission to study space light at the Sun–Earth L₂ point

Other missions

For the 2023 EarthCARE mission with ESA, JAXA will provide the radar system. JAXA will provide the Auroral Electron Sensor for the Taiwanese FORMOSAT-5.

• XEUS: X-Ray telescope with ESA, originally planned after 2015 but replaced by ATHENA.

Proposals

• Human Lunar Systems, study for a future lunar base
• OKEANOS, a mission to Jupiter and Trojan asteroids using solar sail and ion engines
• SPICA, a large infrared telescope for L2
• FORCE, small X-Ray observation mission
• DIOS, small X-Ray mission to watch distant space
• APPROACH, small moon lander mission
• HiZ-GUNDAM, small mission to watch gamma ray burst
• B-DECIGO, test for gravity wave observation
• Hayabusa Mk2/Marco Polo
• Space Solar Power System (SSPS), test for space-based solar power

Human spaceflight program

Japan has ten astronauts but does not yet have its own spacecraft for people to fly in space. There was a plan for a special aircraft called HOPE-X that could carry people into space, but this plan was stopped. Another idea for a simpler spacecraft called Fuji was suggested but not chosen.

The first person from Japan to travel into space was Toyohiro Akiyama, a journalist who flew with the Soviet space program in 1990. He stayed in space for more than a week on a space station called Mir.

Japan works with other countries on missions that send people into space, including sending astronauts on Russian spacecraft to the ISS. In 1992, Japan helped pay for a space shuttle mission called STS-47, where Mamoru Mohri, JAXA’s first astronaut, flew into space.

In 2008–2009, three NASA space shuttle missions delivered parts of a Japanese science module called Kibō to the ISS.

Japan had plans to send people to the Moon, but these plans were stopped in 2010 because of money problems.

In 2014, Japan’s space agency talked about possibly sending a mission to Mars. They mentioned exploring Mars without people, sending people to Mars, and living on the Moon in the future, and said they would work with other countries.

In October 2017, JAXA found what looks like a long, tunnel-like space under the surface of the Moon. JAXA thinks this could be a good place for future Moon bases for peaceful space missions.

Supersonic aircraft development

JAXA is working on new technology for a fast airplane that could replace an old plane called the Concorde. This new airplane, called the Next Generation Supersonic Transport, is designed to carry 300 passengers at twice the speed of sound. In 2005, a small model of this airplane was tested in Australia.

In 2015, JAXA did tests to make supersonic flight safer. It is not known yet if this project will be successful, and it has not gotten much support from Japanese aerospace companies.

Reusable launch vehicles

Until 2003, JAXA (ISAS) looked into making rockets that could be reused under the Reusable Vehicle Testing (RVT) project.

Organization

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's main space agency. It started in 2003 when three smaller space groups joined together. JAXA studies space, builds and launches satellites, and plans big missions like exploring asteroids and sending humans to the Moon.

JAXA has many research centers in Japan and some offices around the world. Its main office is in Chōfu, Tokyo. Important centers include the Earth Observation Research Center in Tokyo, the Noshiro Testing Center in Akita for testing rocket engines, and the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture where rockets are launched.

JAXA works with other space agencies. For example, in 2015, NASA helped the Akatsuki Venus probe, and in 2021, JAXA helped NASA's Juno spacecraft when it flew by Jupiter's moon Europa.