JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

	The Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan with a total area of about 9,700,000 square meters. Located in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture, along the southeast coast of Tanegashima, it is known as the most beautiful rocket-launch complex in the world. On-site facilities include the Yoshinobu Launch Complex, a launch site for large-size rockets, Spacecraft Test and Assembly Buildings, and the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building. Using those facilities, a series of operations are performed from assembling launch vehicles, maintenance, inspections, final checks of satellites, loading satellites onto launch vehicles, launches, and tracking launch vehicles after liftoff. The TNSC plays a pivotal role for satellite launches among Japan’s space development activities.

The Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan with a total area of about 9,700,000 square meters. Located in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture, along the southeast coast of Tanegashima, it is known as the most beautiful rocket-launch complex in the world.

On-site facilities include the Yoshinobu Launch Complex, a launch site for large-size rockets, Spacecraft Test and Assembly Buildings, and the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building. Using those facilities, a series of operations are performed from assembling launch vehicles, maintenance, inspections, final checks of satellites, loading satellites onto launch vehicles, launches, and tracking launch vehicles after liftoff. The TNSC plays a pivotal role for satellite launches among Japan’s space development activities.

Location

Mazu, Kukinaga, Minamitane-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima 891-3793

Access(69KB)

To visit the facility, please click here for contact details.

Tanegasima Live Camera

	Live Camera

Pamphlet

Tanegashima Space Center(8.37MB)

Reference

Attitudes towards the Environment: Kagoshima Space Center

Preparing for the Launch at the Tanegashima Space Center(3:52)
TF1 System Integration(3:41)

Main Facilities

Yoshinobu Launch Complex

A fully prepared and assembled launch vehicle is transported to a launch pad and loaded with liquid propellant for launch. There are two launch pad for large-scale launch vehicles.

Yoshinobu Launch Complex Layout
(2.1MB)

Second Spacecraft Test and Assembly Building

Assembly, tests, and preparations for large spacecraft are performed at this facility.

Takesaki Range Control Center

The command and control of rocket launch operations for all systems are performed at this facility, including launch vehicles, satellites, ground facilities, tracking and weather systems.

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

VAB is a facility to assemble, outfitting, and inspect a launch vehicle shipped from a factory. At the VAB, two vehicles can be assembled simultaneously.

Exhibits

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.

Contact

Space Museum Contact Form

Phone	+81-997-26-9244
Fax	+81-997-26-9245

Space Museum

Open	9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed	Mondays (If Monday is a public holiday, we're closed on Tuesday. There are no closing days in August.) Year End and New Year holidays: December 29 to January 2 (Closing dates may be changed according to rocket launch schedule.)

*	Free admission

Service

For groups of 10 or more, advance reservation is required. For reservations, please contact us by inquiry form or phone.
*For individual visitors, no reservation is required.
Free parking lot for 37 cars and five large-sized cars. There are two handicap parking spaces in front of the entrance of the museum.
Wheel chairs and baby strollers can enter the exhibition hall.
Rental wheel chairs are available (free of charge, but the number of rental wheel chairs is limited.)
You can bring your own lunch to eat outside the buildings (only on the lawn area in front of the Space Museum. (No eating is allowed in other areas.)
No pets are allowed to enter the Museum.

Cafeteria

Open	12:30 - 14:00 (LO: 13:30)
Closed	Saturdays, Sundays and holidays

Please note that the cafeteria may be closed due to special holidays, launch days and various events held on the site.
Reservation and inquiries:　(+81) 50-3362-3050（available between 9:00～11:00、14:00～15:00）

Space Museum

	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. Google Street View

Lift Off Theater

With a large wall screen, floor image, sound and smoke, you can experience the immersive rocket launch as if you were looking up at the launch near the launch pad.

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

Enter and experience "Kibo," which is a part of the International Space Station (ISS) project.

Kibo Photo Spot

You can take pictures in "Kibo" as if you were in a weightless environment.

Museum Shop

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

Bus Tour

The Bus Tour can take you the launch-related facilities in the Tanegashima Space Center with explanations by the guide. We have the tours three times a day (twice a day from December to February). The tour is closed on the same day as the Museum.
Advance reservation is required and accepted from 3 months before the tour date. For reservations, please use the Space Museum Contact Form or call(+81-997-26-9244). Participation fee is free.
Please note that the course may be changed or canceled depending on the weather, launch and test schedules, etc.

	Timetable	Apr-Nov, Mar	Dec-Feb Weekdays	Dec-Feb Weekends/Holidays
(1)	10:30-11:45	○	○	-
(2)	13:00-14:15	○	○	○
(3)	15:00-16:15	○	-	○

【Tour Sites】

*The tour sites may be changed depending on the weather, launch and test schedules, etc.

Yoshinobu Launch Complex for large-scale launch vehicles

	Launch vehicles are assembled, fitted, filled with fuel and launched at the Yoshinobu Launch Complex on the north side of the Tanegashima Space Center.(From inside the bus)

Rocket Garage

	The Rocket Garage exhibits real components of launch vehicles such as H-II Launch Vehicle No.7, giving visitors sensation of overwhelming reality.

Takesaki Range Control Center

	The Takesaki Range Control Center is the "brain" for launch. To launch a vehicle, the responsible persons for different tasks related to rocket launch enter this facility. All information is gathered here and used to make decisions related to launching and tracking and conducting safety management.

Launching Observation Points

On the launch day, the entire Tanegashima Space Center and within a radius of 3 km centered on the launch pad are off limits.
At the observation points of the launch managed by Minamitane Town, JAXA broadcasts a countdown coverage.
Please check the Minamitane Town Website for details on the observation points.