JAXA – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is the national space agency of Japan. The JAXA works on various projects and develops major works for aerospace exploration both Japanese and global.

The JAXA is responsible for investigations, technological developments, and satellite launches into orbit, developing many complex missions. For example, the exploration of asteroids and possible crewed explorations to the Moon. Its motto is One JAXA and its corporate slogan is Explore to Realize.

History of JAXA

The JAXA is the union of three organizations that were merged to form a single entity on October 1, 2003, to create the New JAXA: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). The JAXA was formed to be an independent administrative institution, however, managed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).

Before the merger, ISAS was responsible for space and planetary research while NAL focused on aviation research. NASDA, founded on October 1, 1969, developed rockets, satellites, and also built the Japanese Experiment Module. NASDA also trained Japanese astronauts, who flew on U.S. Space Shuttles.

In 2012, new legislation changed the mandate of JAXA to allow it to include military space developments for peaceful purposes, such as early warning systems for future missiles in Japanese lands and skies. With the political control of JAXA moving from MEXT to the Prime Minister’s Office with the inclusion of a new Cabinet for Space Strategy.

Rockets

The JAXA uses the H-IIA rocket (H “two” A) belonging to the former NASDA along with its H-IIB variant for satellite launches for engineering tests, weather satellites, etc. For scientific missions that use, for example, X-ray astronomy, the JAXA uses the Epsilon rocket.

Japan launched its first satellite, Ōsumi, in 1970, using the L-4S rocket from ISAS. Before the merger, ISAS used small vehicles for space launches with solid fuel. Meanwhile, NASDA developed launch vehicles with greater payload capacity.

Initially, NASDA used licensed American models. The first launch vehicle model was made from the use of liquid fuel, the H-II model, from 1994. However, in the late 1990s, with two launch failures of the H-II, Japan began to be criticized regarding the technology of Japanese rockets.

The first space mission of Japan under the name of JAXA was the launch of an H-IIA on November 29, 2003. It ended in failure due to the great pressure of the moment. After a hiatus of 15 months, JAXA successfully launched the H-IIA rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center, placing a satellite into orbit on February 26, 2005.

JAXA’s Successes

Before the birth of JAXA, ISAS had performed very well in its space program in the field of X-ray astronomy during the 80s and 90s. Another successful area for Japan was Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) with the HALCA mission. Other successes included solar observation, magnetosphere research, among other areas.

NASDA was primarily active in the field of satellite communication technology. However, since the Japanese satellite market is completely open, it was only in 2005 that a Japanese company won a contract for a civil communication satellite. Another focus of NASDA was Earth climate observation.

The JAXA was awarded the John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr. award from the Space Foundation for Space Exploration in 2008.

Human Space Programs

Japan has ten astronauts, but a crewed spacecraft has not yet been developed. A HOPE-X space project for the launch of an H-II, which was developed for several years, ended up being postponed. Several other projects have been proposed, some accepted, but postponed or not accepted.

The first Japanese citizen to fly in space was Toyohiro Akiyama, a journalist sponsored by TBS, who flew on the Soviet Soyuz TM-11 in December 1990. Akiyama spent more than 7 days in space at the Mir space station, considered by the Soviets as their first commercial space flight, which allowed them to earn about $14 million.

Japan participates in American and international programs, which include flights of Japanese astronauts. A mission for the space shuttle STS-47, in September 1992, was partially funded by Japan. This flight included the first astronaut from JAXA, Mamoru Mohri.

The Japanese have plans for a crewed lunar landing, which is in development. However, the plans were shelved in 2010 due to budget constraints.

In June 2014, the Japanese Ministry of Science and Technology stated that it was considering a space mission to Mars. In a document, it was mentioned an uncrewed exploration. Missions to Mars and long-term settlements on the Moon are objectives of JAXA, for which they seek international cooperation.

Uchuu Kyoudai

You can learn a lot about Japan’s space station by watching the anime Uchuu Kyoudai.

Uchuu Kyoudai tells the story of two brothers: Mutta and Hibito, with Mutta being the older brother. When they were children, the two witnessed a UFO, and since then they promised to go to space. Years pass, and only Hibito becomes an astronaut and is about to go to the Moon. Meanwhile, his brother Mutta ends up losing his job for headbutting his boss.

Mutta remembers his old dream, which due to everyday problems was completely forgotten. With the help of his brother, that dream could somehow be achieved. The anime shows the entire process necessary to apply and become an astronaut.