Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency facts for kids

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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Agency overview
宇宙航空研究開発機構 Uchū Kōkū Kenkyū Kaihatsu Kikō

Abbreviation	JAXA (ジャクサ)
Formed	1 October 2003; 21 years ago (2003-10-01)
Preceding agencies	NASDA ISAS NAL
Type	Space agency
Jurisdiction	Government of Japan
Headquarters	Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan
Motto	One JAXA
Administrator	Hiroshi Yamakawa [ja]
Primary spaceport	Tanegashima Space Center
Owner	Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Government of Japan)
Annual budget	¥212.4 billion (FY2021)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's main agency for everything related to air and space. It was created on October 1, 2003. This happened when three older space groups joined together.

JAXA's job is to research, develop new technology, and launch satellites into space. They also work on exciting missions like exploring asteroids and even planning for humans to explore the Moon. Their main idea is One JAXA, and their slogan is Explore to Realize.

JAXA's Story: Exploring Space

JAXA's Kibo module on the ISS.

JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003. Three different groups came together to create it. These groups were:

Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
The National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL)
The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)

Before JAXA, ISAS focused on space and planet research. NAL worked on aviation, which is about flying planes. NASDA, started in 1969, built rockets and satellites. It also built the Japanese Experiment Module for the International Space Station. NASDA also trained Japanese astronauts. These astronauts flew on US Space Shuttles.

In 2008, a new law changed how JAXA was controlled. It moved from the Ministry of Education to the Prime Minister's office. This made space development a bigger national priority. In 2012, JAXA's work expanded. It could now include some military space projects. An example is missile early warning systems.

JAXA started smaller, faster missions in 2010. This helps them learn new things about space more quickly. It also prevents missing chances to explore.

How JAXA is Organized

JAXA Headquarters in Chofu City, Tokyo.

The main gate of Tsukuba Space Center.

The Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

JAXA has several important parts that work together. These include:

Space Technology Directorates: These groups focus on developing new space technologies.
Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate: This part works on missions involving astronauts.
Research and Development Directorate: This group does new research for future projects.
Aeronautical Technology Directorate: This section focuses on aviation research.
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS): This is for space and planetary research.
Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center (TansaX): This center works on new ways to explore space.

JAXA has many research centers across Japan. Its main office is in Chōfu, Tokyo. Some other important locations are:

Earth Observation Center (EOC) in Hatoyama, Saitama.
Noshiro Testing Center (NTC) in Noshiro, Akita. This center tests rocket engines.
Kakuda Space Center (KSPC) in Kakuda, Miyagi. It develops liquid-fuel rocket engines.
Tanegashima Space Center in Tanegashima, Kagoshima. This is where JAXA launches its large rockets.
Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. This is the main hub for Japan's space network. It develops satellites and rockets. It also tracks satellites and trains astronauts.
Uchinoura Space Center in Kimotsuki, Kagoshima. This is where the Epsilon rocket is launched.

JAXA's Rockets

JAXA uses different rockets for different jobs.

The H-IIA (H "two" A) rocket is used to launch medium-sized payloads.
JAXA also developed a newer medium-lift rocket called H3.
For smaller launches, JAXA uses the Epsilon rocket.
For experiments high up in Earth's atmosphere, JAXA uses smaller sounding rockets like the SS-520.

Some older rockets that JAXA used, like the Mu rocket family and H-IIB, are now retired.

Communication with Spacecraft

JAXA has special ground stations to talk to its spacecraft.

The Usuda Deep Space Center (UDSC) in Saku, Nagano, was the first station built to talk to spacecraft far away. It opened in 1984.
The Misasa Deep Space Station (MDSS), also in Saku, was finished in 2021. It has a large 54-meter dish. This station is now the main one for JAXA's deep space communication.

JAXA also works with other space agencies. For example, in 2015, NASA helped JAXA communicate with its Akatsuki Venus probe. JAXA, ESA (European Space Agency), and NASA work together to improve how they track spacecraft.

JAXA's Achievements

The H-IIA and H-IIB rockets.

An H-IIA F19 rocket launch.

Before JAXA was formed, ISAS was very good at X-ray astronomy. NASDA was successful with communication satellites and observing Earth's climate.

Japan launched its first satellite, Ohsumi, in 1970. It used ISAS's L-4S rocket. NASDA later developed larger rockets. The first Japanese-made liquid-fueled rocket was the H-II, launched in 1994.

JAXA's first mission after it was formed was an H-IIA rocket launch in 2003. It failed due to a problem. But after fixing the issues, JAXA had a successful H-IIA launch in 2005.

In 2009, the first H-IIB rocket was launched successfully. It carried supplies to the International Space Station. JAXA also developed the Epsilon rocket. This smaller, solid-fueled rocket had its first successful flight in 2013.

In 2018, JAXA successfully launched the world's smallest orbital rocket, the SS-520-5. It put a tiny four-kilogram satellite into orbit.

Missions to the Moon and Beyond

Japan has sent missions beyond Earth's orbit.

In 1985, the Sakigake and Suisei spacecraft observed Halley's comet.
The Hiten mission in 1990 tested ways to reach the Moon.
The Nozomi Mars Orbiter was launched in 1998. It had problems and could not orbit Mars.

JAXA continues to explore the Solar System.

Active Missions: PLANET-C (Akatsuki), IKAROS, Hayabusa2, BepiColombo, SLIM.
Under Development: MMX, DESTINY⁺.

Exploring Small Asteroids: The Hayabusa Mission

The Hayabusa spacecraft.

The Hayabusa spacecraft was launched in 2003. Its goal was to collect samples from a small near-Earth asteroid called 25143 Itokawa. Hayabusa reached the asteroid in 2005. It successfully landed and collected samples. The spacecraft returned to Earth with these samples in 2010.

Exploring the Moon

JAXA has sent several missions to the Moon.

The LUNAR-A mission was planned but later canceled.
On September 14, 2007, JAXA launched Kaguya. This was a large mission to study the Moon's origin. It orbited the Moon for over a year and then crashed onto its surface in 2009.
JAXA launched its first lunar lander, SLIM, in 2023. It successfully landed on the Moon in January 2024. This made Japan the fifth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.

Exploring Other Planets

Japan's planetary missions have focused on the inner Solar System.

The Nozomi Mars probe had issues and could not orbit Mars.
On May 20, 2010, the Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki was launched. It also carried the IKAROS solar sail. Akatsuki finally entered Venus orbit in 2015. It was the first Japanese spacecraft to orbit another planet. One of its main goals is to understand Venus's super-rotating atmosphere.

JAXA is also planning a mission to Mars's moons. The MMX mission will collect samples from Phobos. It will also study Deimos and Mars's atmosphere. MMX is planned to launch in 2026.

Solar Sail Research

JAXA has been testing solar sails. These sails use the pressure of sunlight to move spacecraft.

In 2004, ISAS successfully deployed two prototype solar sails from a small rocket.
The IKAROS solar sail was launched in 2010 and successfully deployed. JAXA hopes to send a solar sail mission to Jupiter after 2020.

JAXA's Astronomy Program

JAXA uses satellites to study space and learn about stars, galaxies, and other cosmic objects.

Active Missions: SOLAR-B, MAXI, SPRINT-A, CALET, XRISM.
Retired: HALCA, ASTRO-F, ASTRO-EII, and ASTRO-H.

Infrared Astronomy

Japan's infrared astronomy began in 1995 with the IRTS telescope. JAXA's first infrared astronomy satellite was Akari, launched in 2006. It had a 68 cm telescope and surveyed the entire sky in infrared light.

X-ray Astronomy

Japan has been observing X-rays from space since 1979.

In 2000, the launch of the ASTRO-E X-ray satellite failed.
In 2005, JAXA successfully launched Suzaku (ASTRO-EII). This satellite carried instruments to study X-rays from space.
The Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) is installed on the Japanese module of the ISS. It continuously watches X-ray objects.
In 2016, Hitomi (ASTRO-H) was launched as the next X-ray mission, but it unfortunately failed.

Solar Observation

Japan's solar astronomy started in the 1980s.

The Hinode (SOLAR-B) spacecraft was launched in 2006. It studies the Sun. JAXA plans for a SOLAR-C mission sometime after 2020.

Radio Astronomy

In 1998, Japan launched the HALCA mission. This was the world's first spacecraft to use Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) from space. It observed pulsars and other objects.

Communication and Earth Observation

JAXA also works on communication, positioning, and testing new space technologies.

Communication and Navigation

The ETS-VIII satellite was launched in 2006 to test communication equipment.
The WINDS satellite, launched in 2008, aimed to provide faster satellite internet. It was turned off in 2019.
In 2010, JAXA launched QZS-1. This was the first satellite for the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). This system helps improve GPS signals in Japan. More QZSS satellites have been launched since then.

Earth Observation Program

JAXA uses satellites to observe Earth. This helps scientists study our planet.

The Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS/Daichi) was launched in 2006. It helped map Earth's surface.
JAXA launched ALOS-2 in 2014, which uses radar to see through clouds. ALOS-3 was launched in 2023 but was lost due to a launch failure.

Rainfall Observation

Japan studies rainfall because it is an island nation affected by typhoons.

In 1997, Japan launched the TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) satellite with NASA. It observed tropical rainfall.
In 2014, JAXA and NASA launched the GPM Core Observatory. This mission measures global rainfall in great detail.

Monitoring Carbon Dioxide

In 2008, JAXA launched the GOSAT (Greenhouse Gas Observing SATellite). This satellite helps scientists measure carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere. It helps fill in gaps where there are no ground stations.
The newer GOSAT 2 was launched in 2018.

GCOM Series

The GCOM (Global Change Observation Mission) program is a series of Earth-observing satellites.

The first satellite, GCOM-W (Shizuku), was launched in 2012.
The second, GCOM-C (Shikisai), was launched in 2017.

Human Spaceflight

The Spacelab-J shuttle flight, funded by Japan, included Japanese science equipment.

Japan has ten astronauts. However, it does not have its own spacecraft to send humans into space.

The first Japanese citizen in space was Toyohiro Akiyama in 1990. He was a journalist who flew on a Soviet spacecraft.
Japan participates in international space programs. Japanese astronauts fly on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS.
One Space Shuttle mission (STS-47) in 1992 was partly funded by Japan. This flight included JAXA's first astronaut, Mamoru Mohri.

A view of the completed Kibō module of the ISS.

JAXA built parts of the Kibō module for the ISS. These parts were delivered by Space Shuttle missions between 2008 and 2009.

JAXA is also thinking about future human missions. This includes exploring Mars and possibly building a long-term settlement on the Moon. In 2017, JAXA found a "tunnel" under the Moon's surface. This tunnel might be a good place for a future Moon base.

Supersonic Aircraft Development

JAXA is also working on technology for a new type of supersonic transport. This would be a very fast airplane that could replace the Concorde. The goal is to create a jet that can carry 300 passengers at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). JAXA is testing ways to reduce the loud sound (sonic boom) that these planes make.

Reusable Launch Vehicles

JAXA has researched reusable launch vehicles. These are rockets that can be used more than once, like airplanes. This could make space travel cheaper.

Completed Missions

ASTRO-H X-Ray Astronomy Mission (2016, failed)
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) (1997-2015, decommissioned)
Akebono Aurora Observation (1989–2015, decommissioned)
Suzaku X-Ray Astronomy (2005-2015, decommissioned)
ALOS Earth Observation (2006-2011, decommissioned)
Akari, Infrared astronomy mission (2006–2011, decommissioned)
Hayabusa Asteroid sample return mission (2003-2010, decommissioned)
OICETS, Technology Demonstration (2005–2009, decommissioned)
SELENE, Moon probe (2007–2009, decommissioned)
Nozomi, Mars Mission (1998–2003, failed)
ADEOS 2 (Midori 2) Earth Observation (2002–2003, lost)

Future Missions

Artist's idea of Japan's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft.

JAXA has many exciting missions planned for the future:

Planned Launches

FY 2024

ALOS-4: An Earth observation satellite.
GOSAT-GW: A satellite to observe greenhouse gases and water.
QZS-5: A navigation satellite.

FY 2025

DESTINY⁺: A mission to study an asteroid called Phaethon.
ETS-IX: A technology test satellite.
HTV-X1: A cargo spacecraft for the ISS.
LUPEX: A joint lunar lander and rover with India.
QZS-6 and QZS-7: More navigation satellites.

FY 2026

HTV-X2 and HTV-X3: More cargo spacecraft for the ISS.
MMX: A mission to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars's moons.

FY 2028

JASMINE: A telescope to map stars in our galaxy.
Solar-C EUVST: A mission to study the Sun.

FY 2032

LiteBIRD: A mission to study the very early universe.

Images for kids

The ASTRO-E satellite in a clean room.