JAXA

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national air and space agency. It was formed in 2003 by combining three different Japanese space organizations. JAXA works on many exciting projects, including launching satellites into orbit, exploring asteroids, and planning missions to the Moon.

JAXA has achieved many amazing 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 samples from an asteroid back to Earth in 2010. Another mission, Hayabusa2, sent small rovers to study an asteroid. JAXA also studied Venus with the Akatsuki spacecraft.

JAXA works with other space agencies around the world. It helps with the International Space Station (ISS) by building parts and sending supplies. Japanese astronauts have traveled to space on different spacecraft to work on the ISS. JAXA also builds 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 who flew with US space shuttles.

In 2008, new laws allowed JAXA to work on some projects that help with defense, like warning systems for missiles. JAXA also began starting smaller space missions more quickly so they could learn more about space without missing important chances.

Rockets

JAXA used the H-IIA rocket as a medium-sized rocket for launching satellites. They also developed 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 for studying the upper atmosphere.

Japan launched its first satellite, Ohsumi, in 1970. Over time, JAXA developed many rockets to launch satellites using their own technology. In 2003, JAXA was formed to manage Japan’s space program. They improved the H-IIA rocket to make it more reliable and cheaper. In 2023, JAXA started using the new H3 rocket, which aims to launch satellites more effectively and at a lower cost.

Lunar and interplanetary missions

Japan began 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

On May 9, 2003, the spacecraft Hayabusa, named after a bird called a Peregrine falcon, 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 successfully gathered samples, returning them 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 faced 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 focused on solar observation, radio astronomy, and infrared astronomy.

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's infrared astronomy began in 1995 with the 15-cm IRTS telescope on the SFU satellite. JAXA's first infrared satellite was Akari, launched on February 21, 2006, to study the universe in infrared light.

JAXA is developing a new mission called SPICA, which would be much colder than previous satellites. This mission was planned for launch in 2027 or 2028 but is not fully funded yet.

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 successfully launched Suzaku in 2005. This satellite helped study X-ray objects in space.

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

Solar observation

Japan started solar astronomy in the 1980s with the Hinotori mission. The Hinode spacecraft was launched in 2006 to study the Sun. Future missions like SOLAR-C are planned but details are still being worked out.

Radio astronomy

In 1997, Japan launched HALCA, the first spacecraft dedicated to studying 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 has a big job testing new space tools, especially for talking between Earth and space. A long time ago, in 1975, it sent up 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 make its communication technology better. 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 the 1990s and 2000s, some satellites like Adeos (Midori) and Adeos 2 (Midori 2) stopped working sooner than expected.

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

ALOS

In January 2006, JAXA launched the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS/Daichi). It used a special satellite called Kodama for communication with Japan. Later, JAXA created separate satellites for radar and optical observations. ALOS-2 was launched in 2014. Sadly, ALOS-3 was lost in a launch failure in 2023, but ALOS-4 was successfully launched in 2024. A new successor to ALOS-3 is planned for around 2027.

Rainfall observation

Because Japan often faces typhoons, studying rain patterns is important. In 1997, Japan and NASA launched the TRMM satellite to observe tropical rainfall. Later, JAXA and NASA launched the GPM Core Observatory in 2014. GPM provides detailed measurements of global rainfall and works with satellites from other countries.

Monitoring of carbon dioxide

In 2008, JAXA launched the GOSAT satellite to monitor carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This helps scientists understand how carbon dioxide is spread 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 observe Earth’s changes. 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 very 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 successfully 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 as part of their duties.

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-scale technology demonstrator which will also conduct scientific observations of asteroid 3200 Phaethon
• JASMINE: an astrometric telescope similar to the Gaia mission but operating in the infrared (2.2 μm) and specifically targeting the Galactic plane and center, where Gaia's results are impaired by dust absorption.
• LUPEX: joint lunar lander and rover with ISRO
• Solar-C

FY 2029

• Comet Interceptor (ESA led mission, Japan provides one of the secondary spacecraft)
• Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-6

FY 2031

• Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-7

FY 2032

• LiteBIRD: a mission to study CMB B-mode polarization and cosmic inflation based at the Sun–Earth L₂ Lagrangian point

Other missions

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

• XEUS: joint X-Ray telescope with ESA, originally planned for launch after 2015. Cancelled and replaced by ATHENA.

Proposals

• Human Lunar Systems, conceptual system study on the future human lunar outpost
• OKEANOS, a mission to Jupiter and Trojan asteroids utilizing "hybrid propulsion" of solar sail and ion engines
• SPICA, a 2.5 meter infrared telescope to be placed at L2
• FORCE, small-scale hard x-ray observation with high sensitivity
• DIOS, small-scale x-ray observation mission to survey warm–hot intergalactic medium
• APPROACH, small-scale lunar penetrator mission
• HiZ-GUNDAM, small-scale gamma ray burst observation mission
• B-DECIGO, gravity wave observation test mission
• Hayabusa Mk2/Marco Polo
• Space Solar Power System (SSPS), space-based solar power prototype launch in 2020, aiming for a full-power system in 2030

Human spaceflight program

Japan has ten astronauts but has not yet made 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 either. Other ideas for new kinds of spacecraft exist but have not been used.

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 also did tests to make supersonic flight safer. Whether this project will be successful is still unknown, and it has not gotten much support from Japanese aerospace companies yet.

Reusable launch vehicles

Until 2003, JAXA (ISAS) studied ways to make rockets that could be used again under the Reusable Vehicle Testing (RVT) project.

Organization

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's main space agency. It was created in 2003 by combining three smaller space groups. JAXA is in charge of studying space, building and launching satellites, and planning big missions like exploring asteroids and sending humans to the Moon.

JAXA has many research centers across Japan and some offices around the world. Its main office is in Chōfu, Tokyo. Some 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.