How has Earth become a planet filled with life? |
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Major Research and Development

This is a ground station built in Saku City,Nagano Prefecture for the purpose of enabling telecommunications with deep space explorationprobes.

A huge balloon is a flying object for scientific observations and space engineering tests in the same manner as satellites and sounding rockets.

Studying planets and the moon leads us to understand the birth of the Earth and the origin of the solar system and life. Observing planets and the moon through various methods and analyzing acquired data from every angle are imperative for these studies.

Capturing phenomena in the solar system and planets beyond it and their surrounding area provides us with clues to solve the mysteries of space. Therefore, it is essential to acquire as much information as possible by seizing various radio waves including X-rays, infrared lights and plasmas in addition to visible lights.

JAXA promotes space engineering research to stably perform space exploration activities “further”, “with more flexibility” and “in wider directions.”
Astronomical Observation Satellites
Latter Phase In Operation

World’s first space telescope to observe planets!

The HINODE, an observatory satellite to study the impact of the Sun on the Earth High expectations for new solar observations through international efforts by the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan

Cutting-edge small satellite developed in-house

To elucidate high-energy electrons that repeat their generation and disappearance.
Under Development

XRISM is a new X-ray astronomical satellite which observes plasma in stars and galaxies. With a new generation of X-ray imaging spectroscopy technologies, XRISM will resolve mysteries regarding the formation of the universe.
Operation Completed

An aurora observation satellite that observed the physical phenomena taking place in geospace while collecting detailed data in collaboration with the ground stations

Suzaku to probe into black holes and galaxy clusters to study their structure and evolution.

AKARI: Seeking an understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies
Lunar and Planetary Exploration Spacecraft
Nominal Phase In Operation
Latter Phase In Operation

Hayabusa2 to clarify the origin and evolution of the solar system as well as life matter

AKASTUKI will elucidate the mysteries of Venus, Earth’s twin sister.
Japan will initiate the beginning of a new era of Venusian exploration.
Under Development

DESTINY⁺ is a deep space mission that unites engineering and science objectives.

Along with NASA’s DART (Double-Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, the technology required for planetary defense will be demonstrated for the first time in history, in addition to investigating planetary formation and evolution processes.
Past Projects
Missions | Launch date~End of mission |
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GEOTAIL | 1992/07/24~2022/11/28 |
HITOMI(ASTRO-H) | 2016/02/17~2016/04/28 |
KAGUYA(SELENE) | 2007/09/14~2009/06/11 |
AKARI(ASTRO-F) | 2006/02/22~2011/11/24 |
ASTRO-G | *The decision was made to cancel. |
SUZAKU | 2005/07/10~2015/June |
LUNAR-A | *The decision was made to cancel. |
HAYABUSA(MUSES-C) | 2003/05/09~2010/06/13 |
ASTRO-E | 2000/02/10(*The M-V-4 failed to put ASTRO-E satellite into orbit.) |
NOZOMI(PLANET-B) | 1998/07/04~2003/12/09 |
HALCA(MUSES-B) | 1997/02/12~2005/11/30 |
SFU | 1995/03/18~1996/01/13 |
EXPRESS | 1995/01/15~1995/01/15 |
ASCA(ASTRO-D) | 1993/02/20~2001/03/02 |
YOKOH(SOLAR-A) | 1991/08/30~2004/04/23 |
HITEN(MUSES-A) | 1990/01/24~1993/04/11 |
AKEBONO(EXOS-D) | 1989/02/22~2015/04/23 |
GINGA(ASTRO-C) | 1987/02/05~1991/11/01 |
SAKIGAKE(MS-T5) | 1985/01/08~1999/01/07 |
SUISEI(PLANET-A) | 1985/08/19~1992/08/20 |
OHZORA(EXOS-C) | 1984/02/14~1988/12/26 |
TENMA(ASTRO-B) | 1983/02/20~1988/12/17 |
HINOTORI(ASTRO-A) | 1981/02/21~1991/07/11 |
TANSEI-4(MS-T4) | 1980/02/17~1983/05/13 |
HAKUCHO(CORSA-b) | 1979/02/21~1985/04/15 |
KYOKKO(EXOS-A) | 1978/02/04~1992/08/02 |
JIKIKEN(EXOS-B) | 1978/09/16~1985 |
TANSEI-3(MS-T3) | 1977/02/19~1977/03/08 |
TAIYO(SRATS) | 1975/02/24~1980/06/29 |
TANSEI-2(MS-T2) | 1974/02/16~1983/01/23 |
DENPA(REXS) | 1972/08/19~1972/08/22 |
TANSEI(MS-T1) | 1971/02/16~1971/02/23 |
SHINSEI | 1971/09/28~1973/June |
OHSUMI | 1970/02/11~1970/02/12 |