Japanese space program

Rocket birthplace monument

Iterations of the Pencil Rocket eventually increased in size so that the experiment in the city outskirts was deemed too dangerous and the launch site was moved to Michikawa beach in Akita Prefecture.[6] Following the Pencil Rocket, the larger Baby Rocket was developed which finally reached an altitude of 6 km (3.7 mi). After the Baby Rocket, two rocket projects were further carried out: a rockoon type rocket launched from a balloon and a ground-launched rocket. The development of the rockoon turned out to be too difficult, the project stalled and was eventually halted.[1][7] Among the ground-launched rocket type, the Kappa rocket was one of the most successful, reaching altitudes that gradually increased over time. This rocket was also used for weather observation and participated in the data collection of the 1958 International Geophysical Year. Due to inadequate development funds at the time, the rockets were handmade and the tracking radar was operated manually. The production relied on trial and error, which brought forth many types of rockets.

In 1958, the Kappa 6 rocket reached an altitude of 40 km (25 mi) and the collected data allowed Japan to participate in the International Geophysical Year. In 1960, the Kappa 8 rocket exceeded an altitude of 200 km (120 mi). The development of larger rockets necessitated a launch site with a big downrange. The old site in Akita prefecture opening to the narrow Sea of Japan was deemed insufficient for this purpose and a new launch site opening to the Pacific was again created, this time at Uchinoura in Kagoshima Prefecture.

First Japanese satellite "Ohsumi"

In the 1960s, space research and development was primarily focused on satellite delivery systems. A tentative plan was hatched to develop successors to the existing Kappa rockets, to be called Lambda rockets to achieve this aim. The Science and Technology Agency subsequently focused its studies of Kappa launches on gathering technical information that would allow the newer rockets to achieve higher maximum altitudes.

In 1963, the government began its gradual increase in spending on space development. That year the Science and Technology Agency restructured the National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) into the National Aerospace Laboratory. The new NAL was to be the center for basic research on space technology. However, it soon became clear that the National Aerospace Laboratory had insufficient resources to develop both aeronautical and space technology. As a result, in 1964, the Science and Technology Agency separated the two functions, with NAL to work only on aviation technology, and a newly created "Space Development Group" to handle the development of space technology.[1]

In 1964, at the urging of Hideo Itokawa, the University of Tokyo established an Aerospace division.[8] Although the Lambda rocket development proceeded slowly, there were incremental improvements over the next couple of years such as the new capability to reach an altitude of 2000 km, getting closer to that required for the launch of a satellite. At this time, however, rocket technology became a political issue further delaying its development. There was, for instance, a controversy involving rocket guidance technologies, which some perceived to fall within military affairs. This was further aggravated by the continued failure of the Lambda rocket initiative, which lost four Lambdas in orbit.[1] The failure was reportedly caused by a shock that resulted in parts slaming against each other, the shock came from the sudden combustion of residual fuel.

The first successful launch of a satellite occurred on 11 February 1970 with the launch of the Ohsumi by an unguided L-4S rocket No. 5.[9] The launch of Ohsumi was also important because it involved technological cooperation with the United States, particularly in the development of high efficiency batteries that did not lose power at high temperatures.[10]

Model of the indigenous four stage solid fueled Q rocket[11]

Drawing of the indigenous N-I (rocket), based on Thor-Delta with MB-3 first stage engine[11]

After the Space Development Group merged with ISAS and National Space Development Agency into one organization, space development started to achieve some success. Before this milestone, each of these agencies were developing their own rockets independently. For example, NASDA was focused on commercial applications rather than the improvement of liquid fuel rocket technology.[12]

Satellite Sakigake

After the unification of the space agencies, Japan started to develop more precise rockets in the 1970s. Ohsumi launched a new rocket technology based on the L-4S Mu rocket. Although the first M-4S rocket failed, the next iterations of it succeeded in orbit, with three satellite aircraft eventually becoming the foundation of Mu. Afterwards, the Mu rockets were changed from four stages to three stages to simplify the system, and enhancements were made to M-3C. All stages were able to work with the M-3S rockets, and this technology resulted in a string of successful satellite launches into orbit, reaching higher altitudes each time.

Engineering Test Satellite Tansei and many other scientific satellites were being launched by these rockets. Atmospheric observation satellites such as Kyokko and Ohzora and X-ray astronomy satellites such as Hakucho and Hinotori were also active at this time. ISAS's development of the rocket M-3SII rocket reached its completion. The rocket was the first solid fuel rocket of its kind, and left Earth's gravity carrying the Halley Armada satellites Sakigake and Suisei. M-3SII established the technology for the satellites that were being launched one after another.

The M-V rocket, a larger solid rocket, made an appearance in 1997. ISAS reported to the government that it would not be technically possible to increase the diameter of the rocket to more than 1.4m in the next 10 years. This was because NASDA had decided on this size and the National Assembly had imposed further restrictions on top of it, making it difficult to increase the size.[13]

NASDA initially planned to develop its own liquid fuel rocket. However, because of the pressing need for practical and commercial rockets, the Japan-U.S. space agreement was signed and technology from the United States was introduced. Utilizing the American Delta rocket's first stage liquid fuel engine, Japan began the plan of installing the LE-3 during its second stage of development with liquid rockets. With that, the N-I Rocket had been developed. However, the liquid rocket's ability to be launched into orbit was low, and the ability to create satellites was not as strong as the United States's. Because of that, technology was transferred from the United States in 1977 and the geostationary meteorological satellite Himawari 1 was launched using an American rocket.[14] The satellites Sakura and Yuri were later also launched by American rockets. The N-I rocket used technology acquired from manufacturing technology and management techniques only, but by frequently keeping records, NASDA gradually gained more technology and the rate of satellite production in Japan has increased since the Himawari 2.

Since then, in order to meet the demands of larger satellites, NASDA started the development of the N-II rocket, the successor to the N-I rocket. The second stage changed to knock-down kit. The nearly 300kg Himawari 2 was able to be put into geostationary orbit. These rockets made use of United States's Delta rocket's licensed production and the U.S. component's knockdown production, so the vehicles themselves were of high quality. However, when parts such as the satellite's apogee kick motor and black box wore down, information on how to improve them was very difficult to obtain. Thus, it became necessary for Japan to independently develop the entire rocket and domestic development was started.[1] The newly developed H-I rocket made use of the liquid fuel rocket LE-5 engine that was originally researched and developed, and changed to this rocket's engine in the second stage.[14] The LE-5 is characterized by its ability to re-ignite, which made it stronger than the N-II, and the H-I rocket was able to launch objects exceeding 500kg into geostationary orbit.

The rockets NASDA produced were used to launch many commercial satellites, the rapidly increasing amount of communication satellites and broadcasting satellites, weather satellites, and so on. Nine H-I rockets were manufactured, all of which have been successfully launched. This was the first time Japan had successfully launched multiple satellites simultaneously.[14]

Japan has not developed the technology for manned space flight. Mouri Mamoru, in cooperation with NASA, was originally scheduled to be the first Japanese to go into space in 1990 but due to circumstances with the shuttle, Toyohiro Akiyama, a civilian, became the first Japanese national to go into space aboard the Soyuz TM-11.[15]

M-V rocket launch rehearsal

NASDA LE-5 engine will be successful, even in light of technological progress in Japan has decided to develop a purely domestic liquid fuel rocket technology to improve domestic technology. The development was initiated from 1984. H-II rocket is a redesign everything from scratch. Toward the domestic first-stage engine completely, with difficulties in its development. First stage was to develop a new type of Japan LE-7 rocket engines are used in high-pressure combustion of hydrogen and oxygen gas, or parts damage due to vibration, and durability of the material issues It took some time to resolve. Hydrogen is also caused by revealing the explosion. Solid rocket boosters had to take advantage of the solid rocket technology has continued research in space science laboratory. Takes years to develop 10, HI in the last two years after the launch in 1994 decided to launch one rocket. February 3, was scheduled to be launched to put off a day fell from the launch pad for air conditioning duct fairing February 4, as the first complete domestic and liquid rocket became H-II rocket was launched in a rocket.[1]

On the other hand, the 1989 Space Science Institute Space Development policy outline enables the development of larger rockets conversions began in 1990 to develop rockets with solid rocket can planets. Problem occurs also in the development of rocket motors. The prolonged development, M-3SII again in 1997 after two years from the last flight of the rocket M-V was completed. Was born during a space launch vehicle for spacecraft Mars Nozomi was to postpone the launch of two years.

Japan was thus advanced the development of a rocket in 1990 and the USA trade policy, "Section 301" is applied, Japan international competitive bidding had to be practical for use in domestic satellites. This is useful for satellite launches, a lot to bring the US-made rocket that can launch more affordable, and produced a few high-cost domestic satellite, a commercial satellite in low-cost mass production of the West slightly enemy Himawari 5 was the successor to purchase American-made finished products.[1] Midori and environmental observation satellites for such,[16] HALCA astronomical satellites and experimental spacecraft and satellites is almost like a rocket can be launched in Japan, gave a great success of these satellites. However, it flowed overseas launch of commercial satellites is also the reason can not gain experience until now launch commercial rockets.

The late 1990s and early 2000s (decade) was to stumble on a newly developed rocket. H-II rocket flight 5 and flight 8 failed to launch in a row, M-V failed to launch even flight 4.[14] Nozomi failed to enter Mars orbit. Overlapping administrative reform movement from these failures and the occasion was to be proposed in the integration of government space agencies. Strengthening cooperation between organizations, prioritization of features, such as being a plan to streamline the organizational structure, Space Science Institute, October 1, 2003 (ISAS), National Space Development Agency (NASDA), aerospace Technology Laboratories (NAL) are integrated, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was established.[17] Integration was the first time since the launch of a space agency H-IIA flight 6, but failed to launch, the rocket launches have been successful since.

H-IIA is developed the earlier H-II rocket, substantially redesigned to improve reliability and minimize costs. Although this rocket failed shortly after launch integration, which will launch and many successful aircraft in 17 aircraft by September 18, 2010. Large payload to send equipment and supply to the international space station more H-IIB were developed. In order to launch the satellite easier cheaper MV solid fuel new successor to the Rocket Rocket Epsilon rocket is also being developed.[18] These developments in Japan are pursuing the possibility of re-launching business.

Now a lot of satellites and experimental spacecraft to launch satellites in the country, became a strong technical capabilities in this field. Meteorological satellite Himawari 7 can reduce costs by using satellite bus that was used to Kiku 8, was able to launch a domestic satellite weather again. Has been launched plans to launch a small scientific satellite lot, this plan is to allow for rapid development of inexpensive, custom-made satellites aims to share some semi.[19]

On the other hand, 1998 after missile tests by North Korea in the past, has never been done spy satellites is done and now the launch of the basic space law in 2008 finalized, now is made military use of space for defense purposes only. And is currently doing in this area and although the Japanese reconnaissance satellite and missile defense only. Budget has been diverted out of scientific space exploration budget for these plans, which put pressure on other technologies.[20] Space budget from other political factors tend to decrease. In addition, some factions of the organization state that the former JAXA affect the budget allocation. These are contributes to dampen the history of the Japanese space development.

The biggest success in recent years Hayabusa said feedback. Made the primary purpose of engineering experiments is the spacecraft in 2003 Uchinoura Space Center from MV asteroid was launched by rocket asteroid After exploring the 2010 returned to Earth.[21] There was a problem during landing when the landing on Itokawa, which had been most likely unable to collect samples of the asteroid, which contains a sample of asteroids in the capsules were returned, by which the spacecraft World The spacecraft was first brought back samples from an asteroid.[22]

In June 2014 Japan's science and technology ministry said it was considering a space mission to Mars. In a ministry paper it indicated unmanned exploration, manned missions to Mars and long-term settlement on the Moon were objectives, for which international cooperation and support was going to be sought.[23]

• Uchinoura Space Center
• Tanegashima Space Center
• Tsukuba Space Center
• Kakuda Space Center
• Earth Observation Center
• Usuda Deep Space Center

• Akita Rocket Test Site
• JAXAi

• IHI Corporation
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• NEC
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Japan's largest rocket range, the Tanegashima Space Center

There are two facilities in Japan with the ability to launch satellites: the Tanegashima Space Center and Uchinoura Space Center. NASDA liquid fuel rockets are launched from Tanegashima, while ISAS solid fuel rockets are launched from Uchinoura.

In addition to the above two locations, there are other facilities used to launch test rockets.

Akita Rocket Test Site was used as a test launch facility by the University of Tokyo beginning in 1955. This test site was used for the last time in 1965 by the National Aerospace Laboratory, and now only a monument remains to commemorate the site.

The weather rocket station was established in April 1970 and was active until 21 March 2001. The MT-135P rocket was launched from there a total of 1,119 times. The site is currently used to observe air quality in the atmosphere.

The Niijima Test Range (Niijimashi Kenjo), located on the southern tip of Niijima Island, was established in March 1962 by the Technical Research and Development Institute of the Defense Agency. In 1963 the Ministry of Science and Technology rented the land and facilities from the Defense Agency and conducted rocket launch tests between 1963 and 1965.[25] It launched total of eighteen small rockets.[26] Because of the narrowness of the range, larger rockets were not suitable to be tested there. In 1969, the Defense Agency and local residents both opposed the newly formed Space Agency's project to build its own rocket test range at Niijima, and instead Tanegashima Space Center was built.[25]

Taiki Aerospace Research Field is a facility of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which also provides them to private industry. Several tests of the CAMUI Rocket were launched from there between March 2002 and January 2003.[27]

Also, Japan operates the Antarctic Showa Station. Between 1970 and 1985, rockets were launched by 54 groups for purposes such as ozone measurements and auroral observation.