JAXA History

2016 Dec. The Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace "ARASE" (ERG) was launched by the second Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-2).
KOUNOTORI6 (HTV6, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6.
Jul. Astronaut Onishi traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Soyuz spacecraft (47S/MS-01) and began his long-stay mission at the ISS. (Astronaut Onishi returned to Earth in October 2016.)
Feb. X-ray Astronomy Satellite "Hitomi" (ASTRO-H) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 30.
2015 Dec. AKATSUKI (PLANET-C) was successfully inserted into Venus Orbit.
Nov. Telecommunication satellite “Telstar 12 VANTAGE” was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 29 (H-IIA Upgraded version).
Aug. KOUNOTORI5 (HTV5, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 5.
Jul. Successful flight test was conducted for the "Drop test for Simplified Evaluation of Non-symmetrically Distributed sonic boom (D-SEND)" project second phase.
Astronaut Yui traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Soyuz spacecraft (43S/TMA-17M) and began his long-stay mission at the ISS. (Astronaut Yui returned to Earth in December 2015.)
Apr. As JAXA’s status was changed from an independent administrative agency to a “National Research and Development Agency,” its organization was restructured.
2014 Dec. The 21st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-21) was held in Tokyo.
Hayabusa2 was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 26.
May Advanced Land Observation Satellite-2 “DAICHI-2” was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 24.
Astronaut Wakata returned to the Earth having completed his mission as the first Asian commander for the International Space Station (ISS), serving on Expedition Mission 38/39.
Mar. Astronaut Wakata assumed the post as the first Asian commander of the International Space Station.
Feb. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory with the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) onboard was launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23.
2013 Nov. Astronaut Wakata traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Soyuz spacecraft (37S/TMA-11M) and began his long-stay mission at the ISS. (Astronaut Wakata returned to Earth in May 2014.)
Oct. The new JAXA slogan “Explore to Realize” was selected.
Sept. The Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere "HISAKI" (SPRINT-A) was launched by the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1).
Aug. KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4.
2012 Jul. H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI"3 (HTV3) was launched by H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 3.
Jul. Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Soyuz spacecraft (TMA-05M/31S) for an ISS long-stay mission. (Astronaut Hoshide returned to Earth in Nov. 2012.)
May Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-1W) and Small Demonstration Satellite-4 "SDS-4" were launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21.
Feb. Introducing the experimental aircraft "Hisho" (Cessna 680)
2011 Jul. Three JAXA astronaut candidates (Mr. Yui, Ohnishi and Kanai) were certified as ISS onboard astronauts.
Jun. Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Soyuz spacecraft (TMA-02M/27S) for the ISS long-stay mission. (Astronaut Furukawa returned to Earth in Nov. 2011.)
Apr. Nagoya Flight Research Center was established.
Jan. H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI"2 (HTV2) was launched by H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.2.
2010 Sep. Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 "MICHIBIKI" was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.18.
Jun. Asteroid Explorer "HAYABUSA" (MUSES-C) returned to Earth.
May Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) and Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" were launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.17.
Apr. Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki participated in the STS-131/19A mission of the Space Shuttle "Discovery"
2009 Dec. Astronaut Souichi Noguchi traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Soyuz spacecraft (TMA-17/21S) for an ISS long-stay mission. (Astronaut Noguchi returned to Earth in June 2010.)
Sep. H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI" (HTV Demonstration Flight) was launched by H-IIB Launch Vehicle Test Flight.
Jul. Astronaut Koichi Wakata attached the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" to the International Space Station (ISS). After completing the ISS long-stay mission as the first Japanese Astronaut, he came home by Space Shuttle "Endeavour."
Jan. Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.15.
2008 Jun. Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery and helped attach the Pressurized Module (PM) and Remote Manipulator System of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" to the International Space Station.
Mar. Astronaut Takao Doi flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour and helped attach the Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" to the International Space Station.
Feb. Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite "KIZUNA" (WINDS) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.14.
Feb. The phrase, "Reaching for the skies, exploring space" was selected as our corporate slogan.
2007 Sep. SELenological and ENgineering Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.13.
Feb. IGS (Information Gathering Satellites) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.12.
2006 Dec. Engineering Test Satellite VIII "KIKU No.8" (ETS-VIII) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.11.
Sep. Solar Physics Satellite "HINODE" (SOLAR-B) was launched by M-V-7.
Sep. IGS (Information Gathering Satellites) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.10.
Feb. Infrared Imaging Satellite "AKARI" (ASTRO-F) was launched by M-V-8.
Feb. Multi-functional Transport Satellite-2 "Himawari-7" (MTSAT-2) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.9.
Jan. Advanced Land Observing Satellite "Daichi" (ALOS) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.8.
2005 Dec. First successful optical inter-satellite communications in history between the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite "KIRARI" (OICETS) and the Advanced Relay and Technology Mission "ARTEMIS" of the European Space Agency (ESA)
Oct. A flight experiment for the scaled experimental Supersonic Transporter (NEXST-1) was successfully performed.
Sep-Dec. Successful arrival and observation on the asteroid "Itokawa" by the Asteroid Explorer "HAYABUSA" (MUSES-C)
Aug. Launch of the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite "Kirari" (OICETS) and the INnovative-technology Demonstration Experiment "REIMEI" (INDEX) by the Russian launch vehicle "Dnepr"
Jul-Aug. Astronaut Souichi Noguchi participated in the STS-114 mission of the Space Shuttle "Discovery"
Jul. X-ray Astronomy Satellite "Suzaku" (ASTRO-EII) was launched by M-V-6.
Feb. Announcement of the JAXA Vision/JAXA 2025 project
Feb. Multi-functional Transport Satellite-1 Replacement "Himawari-6" (MTSAT-1R) was launched by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.7.
2004 May-Nov The stationary flight test and mission test were successfully performed for the Stratosphere Platform Stationary Flight Test.
2003 Oct. Establishment of an Independent Administrative Agency, the "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)," merging three aerospace organizations, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the National Aerospace Laboratory, and the National Space Development Agency of Japan.

(ISAS | NAL | NASDA) History

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