JAXA | Tanegashima Space Center

JAXA invites the public to visit our cutting edge R&D space facility to help understand our past, present and future programs and challenges. Exhibition locations in the center are categorized according to programs such as launch vehicles and space environment utilization. You can feel and touch the actual space R&D environment, including a life-size launch vehicle mock-up. For more information about this field center, please click here.

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April 25, 2011 Updated

JFY 2011 TNSC special open-house event for Science and Technology Week.

An open-house event will be held at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) on May 15 (Sun.) We are preparing many events and hope many of you will come and join us!

Date and time :
May 15 (Sunday), 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Major Events :

New event! Backyard tour at TNSC "Sneak into the secret base!?"
We will open some TNSC facilities that are usually off-limits.
Special tour guided by JAXA employees!
* We will distribute numbered tickets for the tour at the parking lot of the Space Museum.
Beat JAXA employees! Plastic-bottle rocket/model rocket launch competition by making and launching them
Craft making: Morning session from 9:30, Afternoon session from 1:00
Fifty participants for each type of rocket (on a first-come-first-served basis)
(We will stop sign ups as soon as the participants reach 50.)
* Those who miss the rocket making session can still experience launching a plastic rocket (without making a rocket) sometime outside of the competition hours.
GPS treasure hunting
The quasi-zenith satellite was launched last year. Let's get familiar with the QZS using the GPS!
Time: Morning: 10:00 to 12:00, Afternoon 1:00 to 3:00
Facility bus tour
Let's take a commemorative photo at the launch pad which is usually not accessible!
* We will distribute numbered tickets for the tour at the parking lot of the Space Museum.
Solar handicraft (Limited 60 participants)
Craft making: Morning session from 10:30 to 11:30, Afternoon session from 2:00 to 3:00
Numbered tickets will be distributed beforehand. Participants will be limited to 30 for each session.
Interesting science experiments/Interesting science class
Let's experience the cryogenic world through an experiment using liquid nitrogen of minus 196 degrees (C)
Space suit (orange suit and blue suit) trial & commemorative photo shooting
What can JAXA do now? -- Special exhibition of JAXA activities toward the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster -
Oh! I see! - Let's learn about A ROCKET -
Acoustic experience of explosive rocket launch
You can enjoy the acoustic experience of a rocket liftoff through a renewed device creating explosive sound!
Handicraft classes by the Education Center
H-II Launch Vehicle No. 7 open to the public
The real launch vehicle stored at the TNSC is open to the public for this special occasion.

We are preparing many other enjoyable events!

* We will update this page when new information becomes available.
* You can get a small present and a map at the reception. Please make sure to come to the reception desk first.
* We plan to sell some beverages and food on the event day.
* A bus service making the rounds within the TNSC will be available on the open-house day.
* Please be aware that some event contents may be changed due to weather conditions and other factors.

[Access]

Access From Nishinoomote Port (Tanegashima) to TNSC
Bus: Leaving the port at 9:45 a.m. and arriving at 11:15 a.m. / Leaving at 12:30 p.m. and arriving at 2:00 p.m.
From TNSC to Nishinoomote Port
Bus: Leaving 12:30 p.m. - arriving 2:00 p.m. / Leaving 3:00 p.m. - arriving 4:30 p.m.

[For inquiries]
Tanegashima Space Center Science Museum 0997-26-9244 (within Japan, or +81-997-26-9244)

Open-house leaflet (PDF:633KB, Japanese only)

Services

* Free admission

Space Museum

Open: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Every Monday. Closed Tuesdays following long weekends (substitute holidays) and Dec. 29 to Jan. 1.
The center is occasionally closed owing to rocket launches.

Using full-scale models and games, the exhibits cover various aspects of space development, such as rocket science, satellites, international space-station projects, terrestrial observation, and astronomy :

1. Full-scale model of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo"

Enter and experience "Kibo," which is a part of the International Space Station (ISS) project and is now in construction in space with the cooperation of 15 countries. Simulations of experiments in space can be performed on computers.

2. Space Information Center

Search for information on space development and the cosmos using computers.

3. Rocket Launch Theater

Experience the moment of lift-off of JAXA's main rocket, the H-IIA, on a large screen with full audio.

4. Museum Shop

We sell JAXA goods and space-related products. They are suitable for souvenirs.

Tours (Guide tours/Advance booking)

A staff guide will take you around the various site seeing spots at the Tanegashima Space Center, the largest rocket launch site in Japan. These include launch-related facilities and the H-II Launch Vehicle, which was designated as "important historical material on industrial technology (Future Engineering Heritage)" by the National Museum of Nature and Science.

Please look at "TOURS" for details.

Observation Points

The TNSC is open to the public except when launch and engine tests are carried out. There are observation points for full viewing of launches.

Rocket Hill Observatory

Views of the Yoshinobu Launch Complex, and the Osaki Launch Complex can be enjoyed from this point. Parking is available

Takesaki Observation Stand

This is the press gallery for media personnel on the day of a launch.

Observation Point of Kamori-no-mine

m this point, there are fantastic views of Cape Kadokura and Yakushima Island far in the distance, as well as the H-IIA Launch Complex and the Takesaki Observation stand. "Kamori" means "Are you home?" in the Tanegashima dialect.

Observation Points Map
No entry is allowed on launch days.

Launching Observation Points

Launches can be viewed from anywhere beyond a radius of three kilometers from the rocket. The following locations are recommended observation points, where the countdown to liftoff can even be heard. Reservations are not necessary, but these areas are expected to be crowded on the day of a launch.
Launching Observation Points Map