The launch date and time for the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23 (H-IIA F23) withThe core observatory for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission onboard was decided to be at around 3:07 a.m. thru 5:07 a.m. (JST) on February 28 (Fri.,) 2014.

We opened a special site for the GPM/DPR, please have a look!

Astronaut Takuya Onishi has been selected as a crewmember for the 48th/49th Expedition Mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He will stay there for about six months from around June, 2016. Astronaut Onishi was selected as an astronaut candidate in February 2009, and then, certified as an ISS astronaut in July 2011. Since then, he has been continuously maintaining and improving his qualities as an ISS astronaut through various training. This long duration stay aboard the ISS will be his first space flight. During his stay there, he will be in charge of ISS operation and scientific experiments using the space environment as a flight engineer.

Astronaut Wakata, who is now staying on the International Space Station (ISS), successfully took a 4K moving image from space for the first time in the world. The camera was a super-sensitive 4K camera system for space use jointly developed by JAXA and NHK. Astronaut Wakata shot Comet ISON and its tail and parts of the aurora from 420 km above the Earth in space over Ontario, Canada, at 7:08 p.m. on Nov. 23 (Sat. Japan Standard Time.)

The image taken this time will be broadcast on NHK.

Unlike looking up from the Earth, stars are in 3D when you look out into space from the ISS, and that makes me truly realize space is enormously vast. I love to send such breathtaking views of space to you.
I was actually surprised by the beauty of the images when I watched the monitor that showed Comet ISON and the aurora that I took with the super-sensitive 4K camera. I am very glad that I had this kind of opportunity (to take such a beautiful image), and I will keep trying hard to capture more superb images until Comet ISON shines most brightly.

This is a high-resolution camera whose resolution is four times that of current high-definition models with some special modifications including adopting super-high resolution eight times that of conventional ones, and adding a special feature for comet shooting.
We were able to modify the camera in a much shorter period of time compared to past methods thanks to technologies for space on-orbit devices and space safety that have been accumulated through our development and operation of the ISS’s Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.” As a result, image shooting by the cutting-edge camera from the ISS this time was realized.

The core observatory for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission arrived at Kitakyushu Airport in Japan from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the U.S.A. about 12:28 p.m. on Nov. 24 (Sun.) The GPM core observatory was jointly developed by JAXA and NASA. After arrival at the airport, the satellite was then transported to the Tanegashima Space Center by cargo ship for launch by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle. Its arrival here was originally scheduled for the 22nd, but it was delayed for two days due to bad weather in Alaska, where the cargo plane stopped for refueling.

The GPM mission is a joint international project to observe global precipitation conditions quite frequently and accurately by combining the core observatory and a consternation of some eight satellites. The GPM mission will begin on a full scale when the core observatory, which came to Japan today, is launched, and it will become useful in many ways for our daily life including global-scale water resource control, damage mitigation for water-related disasters such as typhoons and floods, and weather forecasting accuracy improvement.

The Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) aboard the GPM core observatory developed by JAXA is one of the cutting-edge observation devices developed in Japan. It enables three-dimensional observations of rain with high sensitivity.

Since the launch of Zarya, the first module of the International Space Station (ISS), on November 20, 1998, five space agencies have worked together to build the orbiting science lab-one of the most complex scientific and technological endeavours ever undertaken.
On November 20, 2013, we launched a world-wide wave on Twitter to cheer the ISS! In Japan, we've got various messages to celebrate ISS 15th anniversary. Thank you!

The Soyuz Spacecraft with Astronaut Koichi Wakata onboard lifted off at 1:14 p.m. on Nov.7 (Thu., Japan Standard Time,) and docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 7:27 p.m. on the same day. After the hatch to the ISS opened at 9:44 p.m., Astronaut Wakata's second expedition mission began. Astronaut Wakata will stay at the ISS for about six months as a crew member of Expeditions 38 and 39 to conduct scientific experiments and other missions. He will also play an important role as the first Asian commander of the ISS to lead a team of astronauts with the spirit of harmony (or "Wa" in Japanese) that is highly regarded by the Japanese. Please pay attention to his activities in space. We continue to accept support messages for Astronaut Wakata. Press Release Support Message

The Soyuz Spacecraft (37S/TMA-11M) with Astronaut Koichi Wakata onboard lifted off at 1:14 p.m. on Nov. 7 (Thu., Japan Standard Time) from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Republic of Kazakhstan.) The Soyuz will be docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 7:31 p.m.(JST.) The Soyuz crew members including Astronaut Wakata will then enter the ISS for their long-stay mission there. We will begin our live broadcast through the Internet of their entrance to the ISS from 9:00 p.m. (JST.) Please don’t miss it!
We are accepting support messages to Astronaut Wakata. He will become the first Asian commander of the ISS in the latter two months during his approximate six month expedition there this time. Your enthusiastic support messages are more than welcomed! The Internet broadcast schedule is subject to change.

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying Astronaut Wakata and other crew members is scheduled for launch at 1:14 p.m. on Nov. 7 (Japan Standard Time.) JAXA will broadcast their departure live via the Internet. You can also watch the broadcast at some public viewing places including JAXA field offices and science museums all over Japan.
Astronaut Wakata will play an important role as the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station. Please send him a support message.

Live broadcast (Schedule)

The above schedule is subject to change or suspension due to weather conditions, mission progress, or other factors.

The Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-W1) captured the 2013 Nikkei Global Environmental Technology Awards Prize for Excellence. The awards are sponsored by Nikkei Inc. to be given to individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to environmental preservation.
The SHIZUKU plays an important part of the global observation mission by satellites called the "Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM)" to measure global-scale environmental changes over a long period of time. It has been observing water circulation on the Earth (including vapor, sea surface temperatures, water levels on land areas, snow and ice) since July 2012.
The acquired data can be utilized for various areas both within and outside Japan, including weather and precipitation forecasts, fishing point probes, and anti-flood measures, in addition to understanding global environment changes. Thanks to the SHIZUKU's observation data, the Arctic sea ice area was found to become the smallest in observation history on August 25, 2012.

As we mark our 10th anniversary, we have freshly started as the only public research organization to support Japan’s space development and utilization with technology. Accordingly, we announced a new action policy for newly-born JAXA.
A new corporate slogan, “Explore to Realize,” was also decided for the JAXA. The phrase was selected by adopting the word “Explore” from the English name of our agency and also because “exploration” is JAXA’s basic principle, then by reflecting our determination to become an organization of “realization,” which is stipulated in the management philosophy of the new-born JAXA.

JAXA launched the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard at 14:00 on September 14 (Sat.), 2013 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Uchinouora Space Center.
The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 61 minutes and 39 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the SPRINT-A was confirmed.
We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the launch of the Epsilon-1.
The satellite is currently in good health.
The SPRINT-A's nickname was also decided. It is "HISAKI".

JAXA would like to announce that we have set the launch date and time of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard as follows.

JAXA will broadcast a live launch report from the Uchinoura Space Center from 1:25 p.m. on the day. You can watch it through the Internet.
Please send your support message for the launch on the special website, or tweet it including #Epsilon JAXA.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) decided to postpone the launch of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard on August 27 from the Uchinoura Space Center. As a result of our cause investigation of the postponement and re-examination of the Epsilon-1, the new launch date will be September 14, 2013 (Japan Standard Time) or later.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is now investigating the cause of an automatic stop alarm issued approximately 19 seconds prior to liftoff during the Epsilon-1 launch countdown operation on August 27, 2013. As we have decided to carefully examine the cause and prudently confirm the measures, it is very difficult for us to set the new launch date within August.
We will inform you about the results of our investigation into the cause and the new launch date as soon as they are respectively clarified.
Thank you for your patience.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) cancelled today’s launch of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard from the Uchinoura Space Center, because an automatic stop alarm was issued as an attitude abnormality was detected approximately 19 seconds prior to the liftoff time during the automatic countdown sequence. The launch had been originally scheduled for 1:45:00 p.m. today (Japan Standard Time).
JAXA is currently investigating the cause.

The launch time of the Epsilon Launch Vehicle with the SPRINT-A (Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere) was set for 1:45:00 on August 27 (Tue.), 2013 (Japan Standard Time).
JAXA will broadcast a live launch report from the Uchinoura Space Center from 1:25 p.m. on the day. You can watch it through the Internet.
Please send your support message for the launch on the special website, or tweet it including #Epsilon JAXA.

The scheduled launch date of the Epsilon Launch Vehicle with the SPRINT-A onboard is only a week away. The project teams are working hard to be ready for the launch. JAXA will broadcast a live report on the launch day. For more details about the launch including information about public viewing sites, please check the special site!

The KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was captured by the ISS robotic arm at 8:22 p.m. on August 9 (Japan Standard Time) and berthed at the ISS at 3:38 a.m. on August 10 (JST). The KOUNOTORI4 was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.4 on August 4. ISS astronauts will take cargo out from the Pressurized and Unpressurized Logistic Carriers into the ISS.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) decided to postpone the launch of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) onboard to August 27, 2013,?from the Uchinoura Space Center as JAXA has taken extra time to rectify the incompatibility* found in the ground support equipment during the communication function test between the Epsilon-1 and the equipment in the course of launch campaign at the launch site. The launch was originally scheduled for August 22, 2013 from the center.

The H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4 with the KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) onboard lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:48:46 on August 4 (Sun., Japan Standard Time.)
The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and at 14 minutes and 59 seconds after liftoff, the KOUNOTORI4 separation was confirmed.
The KOUNOTORI4 will gradually go closer to the International Space Station, and it will be berthed at the ISS. We will broadcast the berthing on our website, so don’t miss it!

The launch time of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4 with the KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was set for 4:48:46 on August 4 (Sun.), 2013 (Japan Standard Time.)
JAXA will broadcast a live launch report from the Tanegashima Space Center from 4:00 a.m. on the 4th. You can watch it through the Internet. Please have a look!

JAXA has been conducting a campaign for a challenging space probe mission together with all of you by attaching your names and thoughtful messages on the Hayabusa2. Because we feel that we would like to be united with more people to be ready for the challenging mission, we found a way to extend the campaign period due to the progress of Hayabusa2 manufacturing. We are waiting for more of your names and messages.
New deadline: 5:00 p.m. on August 9 (Friday)
(In case of conventional mail, we need to receive your name/message by the 9th.)

The Message Campaign for the first Epsilon launch vehicle scheduled to be launched on Aug. 22 was held in April and May, and the result of the campaign is now available on our website.
You can check if your message was selected by your receipt number. Many people, more than expected, participated in the campaign. Thank you very much. Please also confirm where your message is loaded through the page.

The launch schedule of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4 (H-IIB F4) and the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilin-1) is decided! The H-IIB F4, which will carry the KOUNOTORI4, is to be launched on Aug. 4MM DD from the Tanegashima Space Center, whereas the Epsilin-1 will lift off from the Uchinoura Space Center with SPRINT-A onboard on Aug. 22MM DD. Please keep your eyes on the two missions in the summer 2013!

JAXA is holding a campaign to record your names, messages and illustrations onboard the asteroid probe Hayabusa2.
Hayabusa2, which is scheduled to be launched in 2014, will carry your names and heartfelt messages as it travels to space for about six years. Why don't you join our challenging project to space?

In recent years, Japan and Italy have been cooperating more and more in the space field, including disaster monitoring using satellites and research and development of the Calorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET). We are holding an event to introduce our space cooperation. At a talk event, we will invite astronauts from the two countries to discuss view points and the future of space and manned space activities. Participation is free. Please join us.

Participants should be high-school students or older.

JAXA has started message campaigns for two projects, the Hayabusa2, which is scheduled to be launched in 2014, and the Epsilon Launch Vehicle, which will be launched in the summer launch season!
For the Epsilon, your messages will become a part of the launch vehicle design. In the case of the Hayabusa2, your messages as well as illustrations will be recorded and loaded onto its onboard equipment. Please join our campaigns!

The Basic Plan for Space Policy was established in January, and the mid-term targets and plan for JAXA’s activity policy for the next five years were published on April 1. Our new President Naoki Okumura held a press conference on the same day. At the conference, President Okumura expressed his enthusiasm after assuming the new post saying, “We would like to boldly challenge tasks that bear new values while attaining results that can be regarded highly internationally in various research and development fields. In addition, we would like to propose new projects besides achieving the mid-term targets.”

JAXA is holding a campaign to record your names, messages and illustrations onboard the asteroid probe Hayabusa2.
Hayabusa2 is scheduled to be launched by the H-IIA launch vehicle in FY2014, then arrive at an asteroid in 2018 and investigate it for about one and half years, before returning to the earth in 2020.
The campaign will start from April 10. We welcome your participation!

JAXA has published a film titled “Beyond the Sky and into Space 2012-2013” showing our activities in JFY 2012.
In fiscal year 2012, we covered various interesting topics including the launch of the Global Change Observation Mission 1st ? Water “SHIZUKU,” in May; the start of Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide’s long-stay mission at the ISS in July; and the full-scale operation of the “Hisho” in July 2012.
The film introduces JAXA activities from April 2012 thru March 2013 with some remarkable scenes from our five fields, namely the utilization of satellites, research on space science and exploration of the Moon and planets, utilization of the space environment, transportation systems linking the ground and space, and research into aviation technology. Please enjoy the film!

The Cassini spacecraft, which is a Saturn exploration project conducted jointly by NASA, ESA, and the Italian Space Agency, successfully observed in detail strong shock waves generated by a collision of solar winds with Saturn’s magnetosphere. Through data analysis, new information was obtained about how high energy particles were generated in our Galaxy. This research achievement was led by JAXA researchers, and the thesis has been published in “Nature Physics,” an online version of the British science magazine, issued on Feb. 17, 2013.

Japan’s cargo transporter to the International Space Station, “KOUNOTORI (HTV)”, has been highly evaluated and renowned for its technology and high quality components that have been acquired through the development process, following its three consecutive launches. Its technology and components are now exported overseas. We are holding a symposium to introduce and discuss our technological achievements, international appraisals, and future prospects of manned space development by inviting domestic and international specialists. Please join us!

JAXA released the"Large Magellanic Clouds (LMC) near-infrared spectroscopic catalogue" to the world that was compiled by observation data acquired by the infrared imaging satellite “AKARI.” The positional light source catalog released this time is one of the largest-scale LMC catalogs, and the first data as a “spectroscopic” catalog in the world. The catalog, which categorizes celestial bodies in the LMC, is significant data for greatly advancing research on newly born stars as well as already developed ones.

The international AO this time aims at contributing to the further development of global asteroid science by offering samples to international researchers. Please confirm the application conditions. We are waiting for your proposals.