Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

The Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's aerospace agency. JAXA was formed October 1, 2003 by the merger of the National Space Development Agency (NASDA), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (ISAS).

Related Topics:
Japan - October 1 - 2003

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Japan's first mission under the JAXA, an H-2A rocket launch that occurred in November 2003, ended in failure due to stress problems. After a 15 month hiatus, in February 2005, the JAXA performed a successful launch of a H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, placing a satellite into orbit. Following a shift away from international efforts in 2005, the JAXA plans to perform its own space missions, including a proposed manned mission to the moon.

Related Topics:
H-2A rocket - 2005 - Tanegashima Space Center

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In 2003 Japan launched a mission called Hayabusa with the M-5 rocket to collect samples from an asteroid. Arrival is planned for the second half of 2005. The next interplanetary mission is planned for 2007/2008 with a probe to Venus. Japan is in cooperation with ESA for a joint mission to Mercury. Besides this, two astronomy missions are ready for launch during FY2005.

Related Topics:
Hayabusa - M-5 rocket - Venus - Mercury

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JAXA is also developing the next-generation supersonic transport as a commercial replacement for the Concorde. The design goal of the project is to develop a a plane that can carry 300 passengers at Mach 2. A subscale model of the plane will undergo aerodynamic testing between September 15 and October 15, 2005 in Australia.

Related Topics:
Concorde - September 15 - October 15 - 2005 - Australia

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