JAXAs

JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is the national aerospace and space agency of Japan. It was established in 2003 through the merger of three previous organizations: the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL). JAXA coordinates Japan’s space science, satellite development, and human and robotic exploration, and it manages launch vehicle operations and collaborations on international space projects. The agency operates under Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Its headquarters are in Tokyo, with major facilities including the Tanegashima Space Center for launches and the Tsukuba Space Center for research and development.

JAXA’s activities span space science, planetary exploration, technology development, and international cooperation. Notable missions include Hayabusa (MUSES-C), which returned samples from the asteroid Itokawa in 2010, and Hayabusa2, which collected samples from Ryugu and returned them to Earth in 2020. Akatsuki, the Venus Climate Orbiter launched in 2010, achieved orbit around Venus in 2015 after initial insertion challenges. Hinode (Solar-B), launched in 2006, studies the Sun, while Kaguya (SELENE), launched in 2007, studied the Moon. The agency also contributed cargo and logistics missions to the International Space Station via the HTV (Kounotori) spacecraft. In X-ray astronomy, Hitomi (ASTRO-H) launched in 2016 but was lost shortly after, leading to the later XRISM mission developed with international partners.

Looking ahead, JAXA continues to develop the next-generation H3 rocket to replace the H-IIA/H-IIB lineup, pursue lunar and asteroid exploration, advance space technology, and deepen international collaboration with agencies such as NASA and ESA. Its strategy emphasizes sustainable science, planetary exploration, and participation in future deep-space missions.