January 30, 2004 Updated

Searching for the solid rocket booster from failed H-IIA F6

JAXA´s launch of the H-IIA launch vehicle No. 6 from the Tanegashima Space Center on November 20, 2003, failed because one of the two solid rocket boosters (SRB-As) did not separate. We are currently searching for the SRB-A as part of investigation process into the accident.

According to search results, there is a high possibility that the SRB-A sunk in the ocean area currently under investigation. Thus we decided to work in that area using a search and recovery ship with an underwater robot that can retrieve objects from the bottom of the ocean. The ship is scheduled to leave New Yokosuka Port on February 2. We hope to release various search photos, progress reports, and information on our website.

January 23, 2004 Updated

Searching for the solid rocket booster from failed H-IIA F6

JAXA´s launch of the H-IIA launch vehicle No. 6 from the Tanegashima Space Center on November 20, 2003, failed because one of the two solid rocket boosters (SRB-As) did not separate. We are currently searching for the SRB-A as part of investigation process into the accident.

According to search results, there is a high possibility that the SRB-A sunk in the ocean area currently under investigation. Thus we continue to work in that area using a search and recovery ship with an underwater robot that can retrieve objects from the bottom of the ocean. We hope to release various search photos, progress reports, and information on our website.

January 5, 2004 Updated

JAXA received a New Year's resolution via e-mail from Astronaut Souichi Noguchi, who is training in the U.S. for the first Space Shuttle flight after the Columbia disaster. The year 2004, which is his eighth year since he was selected as a candidate for a mission specialist in 1996, will be an extremely important year for him, and we can see his determination in his words such as "Meeting with the technicians and staff working on the flight made me realize that this manned space flight is supported by many people", "I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a wonderful project as a Japanese", and "I will do my best as an astronaut in the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship." Message from Astronaut Soichi Noguchi ---Fly to our future of 'Kibo' (hope)---