December 28, 2005 Updated
JAXA i will open from January 2, 2006
JAXA i will be closed only on January 1, and will start its normal operations on the 2nd. JAXA i is an exhibition space to provide you with various space information. It has drawn many people's attention, especially concerning the "Space Ram", the "Hayabusa", the "ALOS" and the "ASTRO-F", which will be launched next year. We at JAXA appreciate your continuous support as we preparing for three rocket launches in the spring of 2006. VISIT JAXA
December 20, 2005 Updated
Two launch vehicles are under preparation at the VAB
First "double feature" in Japan
Final launch preparations are underway for the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.8 (H-IIA F8) in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle in the photo (near side) is the H-IIA F9 which arrived at the launch site for the cryogenic test. The H-IIA F9 is scheduled to be launched in Feb. 2006. In the photo, you can barely see the H-IIA F8 behind the door (the world's largest) of the VAB 500 meters away from the F9.
We have previously had an opportunity to see multiple launch vehicles lying horizontally under operation at the same time, but this is the first time that two standing H-IIA launch vehicles have been under preparation in Tanegashima. The cryogenic test for the F9 went well.
Photo: H-IIA F8 in the VAB (far side) and H-IIA F9 (near side) on the pad (Dec. 19)
December 14, 2005 Updated
Hayabusa explorer moves to recovery operation mode
The status of the Hayabusa, which lost its attitude control when it left the Itokawa, has been gradually clarified. It seems that the attitude was shifted because gas that was generated due to evaporation of leaked propellant within the explorer had spilled out of the Hayabusa. Currently communications with the explorer have been cut off, but we think there is a high possibility that we can restore this if we take our time. Consequently, the project team redesigned the orbit to gain more time to save the Hayabusa. Under the latest schedule, the return to earth is scheduled for June 2010.Photo: Project Manager Kawaguchi answering questions at a press conference
December 13, 2005 Updated
First success of the optical inter-orbit communication over 40,000 km
On December 9 (Japan Standard Time, JST), JAXA succeeded in an optical communication experiment between the "Kirari", which was launched by Ukraine's Dnepr launch vehicle on Aug. 24 (JST), and the Advanced Relay and Technology Mission (ARTEMIS) of the European Space Agency (ESA). The experiment was for two satellites that are moving several kilometers per second in respective orbits to communicate over a distance of about 40,000 kilometers. This requires a highly advanced controlling technology that can be described as like "hitting the eye of a needle on the top of Mt. Fuji from Tokyo Station." This success was a global first.We would like to express our appreciation to the ESA and other people concerned for their cooperation with this experiment.
December 8, 2005 Updated
Seriously damaged Hayabusa making best efforts to come back to earth
The Hayabusa project team has gradually restored communications between the Hayabusa, who lost its attitude control just after its touchdown on Nov. 26, and ground stations by taking various emergency measures. According to the very limited information received so far, "The explorer is still alive, but the communication function was seriously damaged. It is almost a miracle that it functions at all." (Mr. Kawaguchi, Project Manager)It was also found that there is a possibility that the projectile for sampling was not discharged. It is very hard to find out what has been really going on through only partial information. The project team will keep making its best efforts to have the explorer come back to earth including re-setting its orbit.
December 8, 2005 Updated
Launch of the Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2
by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 9 (H-IIA F9)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Rocket System Corporation would like to announce that the launch of the Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2 (MTSAT-2) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 9 (H-IIA F9) was approved by the Space Activities Commission (SAC) as follows. Scheduled data of launch:
February 15 (Wednesday), 2006 (Japan Standard Time, JST)
Launch window on Feb 15:
between 3:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. (JST)
(Launch time will vary depending on a launch day.)
Available launch days:
February 16 (Thursday) thru 28 (Tuesday) (JST)
Launch Site:
Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center
For more information:
Rocket System Corporation