Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
宇宙航空研究開発機構
Owner Flag of Japan Japan
Established October 1, 2003
(Successor agency to NASDA 1969-2003, ISAS 1981–2003 and NAL 1955–2003)
Headquarters Chōfu, Tokyo
Pri. spaceport Tanegashima Space Center
Administrator Keiji Tachikawa
Budget ¥225 (€1.4) billion (FY2005)[1]
Website www.jaxa.jp

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (宇宙航空研究開発機構 Uchū-Kōkū-Kenkyū-Kaihatsu-Kikō?), or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003 through the merger of three previously independent organizations. JAXA is responsible for research, development and launch of satellites into orbit, and is fundamentally involved in many missions such as asteroid exploration and a possible human mission to the moon.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

JAXA Kibo, the largest module for the ISS
JAXA Kibo, the largest module for the ISS

On October 1, 2003, three organizations were merged to form the new JAXA: Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (or ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), and Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA).

Before the merger, ISAS was responsible for space and planetary research, while NAL was focused on aviation research. NASDA, which was founded on October 1, 1969, had developed rockets, satellites, and also built the Japanese Experiment Module, which is slated to be launched and added to the International Space Station during Space Shuttle assembly flights in 2008.[3] The old NASDA headquarters were located at the current site of the Tanegashima Space Center, on Tanegashima Island, 115 kilometers south of Kyūshū. NASDA also trained Japanese astronauts, who flew with the US Space Shuttles.

[edit] Rockets

JAXA uses the H-IIA (H "two" A) rocket from the former NASDA body to launch engineering test satellites, weather satellites, etc. For science missions like X-ray astronomy, JAXA has been using the M-V solid-fueled rocket from the former ISAS. Additionally, JAXA is developing together with IHI, United Launch Alliance, and Galaxy Express Corporation (GALEX), the GX rocket. The GX will be the first rocket world wide to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the propellant. For experiments in the upper atmosphere JAXA uses the SS-520, S-520, and S-310 sounding rockets.

[edit] Success so far

Prior to the establishment of JAXA, ISAS had been most successful in its space program in the field of X-ray astronomy during the 1980s and 90s. Another successful area for Japan has been Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) with the HALCA mission. Additional success was achieved with solar observation and research of the magnetosphere, among other areas.

NASDA was mostly active in the field of communication satellite technology. However, since the satellite market of Japan is completely open, the first time a Japanese company won a contract for a civilian communication satellite was only in 2005. Another prime focus of the NASDA body is Earth climate observation.

[edit] Launch development and missions

[edit] Rocket History

Japan launched its first satellite Ohsumi in 1970 with the L-4S rocket by ISAS. Unlike solid fueled rockets, Japan chose a much slower path with liquid fueled rocket technology. In the beginning NASDA used American models in licence. The first model developed in Japan was the H-II introduced in 1994. However at the end of the 90s with two H-II launch failures, Japanese rocket technology came under criticism.

[edit] Early H-IIA missions

Japan's first space mission under JAXA, an H-IIA rocket launch on November 29, 2003, ended in failure due to stress problems. After a 15 month hiatus, JAXA performed a successful launch of an H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, placing a satellite into orbit on February 26, 2005.

[edit] Lunar and Interplanetary Missions

Japan's first missions beyond Earth orbit were the 1985 Halley comet observation satellites Suisei and Sakigake. To prepare for future mission, ISAS tested Earth swing by orbits with the Hiten mission in 1990. Currently interplanetary missions remain at the ISAS group under the JAXA umbrella. However for FY 2008 JAXA is planning to set up an independent working group within the organization. New head for this group will be Hayabusa project manager Kawaguchi. [1] Active Mission: Hayabusa, SELENE, Under Development: Planet-C, BepiColombo, Hayabusa 2?

[edit] Small Body Exploration: Hayabusa mission

On May 9, 2003, Hayabusa (meaning, Peregrine falcon), was launched from an M-V rocket. The goal of this mission is to collect samples from a small near-Earth asteroid named 25143 Itokawa. The craft was scheduled to rendezvous in November of 2005, and return to Earth with samples from the asteroid by July of 2007. It was confirmed that the spacecraft successfully landed on the asteroid on November 20, 2005, after some initial confusion regarding the incoming data. On November 26, 2005, Hayabusa succeeded in making a soft contact, but whether it gathered the samples or not is unknown. Hayabusa is slated to return to earth in 2010.

For details see Hayabusa, Hayabusa 2

[edit] Solar sail research

Main article: solar sail

On August 9, 2004, ISAS successfully deployed two prototype solar sails from a sounding rocket. A clover type sail was deployed at 122 km altitude and a fan type sail was deployed at 169 km altitude. Both sails used 7.5 micrometer thick film.

ISAS tested a solar sail again as a sub payload to the Astro-F (Akari) mission on February 22, 2006. However the solar sail did not deploy fully. ISAS tested a solar sail again as a sub payload of the Solar-B launch at September 23 2006, but contact with the probe was lost. The goal is to have a solar sail mission to Jupiter after 2010.

[edit] Lunar Explorations

After Hiten in 1990, ISAS planned a lunar exploration mission LUNAR-A but after delays due to technical problem, the project was terminated in January 2007. Seismometer penetrator design for Lunar-A may be reused in future mission.

On September 14, 2007, JAXA succeeded in launching lunar orbit explorer "Kaguya", also known as SELENE (costing 55 billion yen including launch vehicle), the largest such mission since the Apollo program[unreliable source?], on an H-2A rocket. Its mission is to gather data on the moon's origin and evolution. It entered into a lunar orbit on October 4.[4] [5]

[edit] Astronomy Program

The first Japanese astronomy mission was x-ray satellite Hakucho (Corsa-B), which was launched in 1979. Later ISAS moved into solar observation, radio astronomy through Space VLBI and infrared astronomy. Active Mission: Suzaku, Akari, Hinode Under Development: ASTRO-G

[edit] Infrared astronomy

Japan's first infrared astronomy mission was the 15 cm IRTS telescope which was part of the SFU multipurpose satellite in 1995. IRTS scanned during its one month lifetime around 7% of the sky before SFU got brought back to Earth by the Space Shuttle. During the 1990s JAXA also gave ground support for the ESA Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) infrared mission.

The next step for JAXA was the Akari spacecraft, with the pre-launch designation ASTRO-F. This satellite was launched on 21 February 2006. Its mission is infrared astronomy with a 68 cm telescope. This is the first all sky survey since the first infrared mission IRAS in 1983. (A 3.6 kg nanosatellite named CUTE-1.7 was also released from the same launch vehicle.) [2]

JAXA is also doing further R&D for increasing the performance of its mechanical coolers for its future infrared mission SPICA. This would enable a warm launch without liquid helium. SPICA has the same size as the ESA Herschel Space Observatory mission, but is planned with a temperature of just 4.5 K to be much colder. The launch is planned for the year 2015, however the mission is not yet fully funded. Also ESA and NASA might contribute an instrument each. [3]

For details see Akari, IRTS.

[edit] X-ray astronomy

Starting from 1979 Japan achieved for nearly 20 years continuous observation with its Hakucho, Tenma, Ginga and Asca x-ray observation satellites. However in the year 2000 the launch of Japan's fifth x-ray observation satellite Astro-E failed. Than on July 10, 2005, JAXA was finally able to launch a new X-ray astronomy mission named ASTRO-E II (Suzaku). This launch was important for JAXA, because in the five years since the launch failure of the original ASTRO-E satellite, Japan was without an x-ray telescope. Three instruments were included in this satellite: an X-ray spectrometer (XRS), an X-ray imaging spectrometer (XIS), and a hard X-ray detector (HXD). However, the XRS was rendered inoperable due to a malfunction which caused the satellite to lose its supply of liquid helium.
The next planned x-ray mission is the MAXI all-sky X-ray scanner. It will continuously monitors astronomical X-ray objects over a broad energy band (0.5 to 30 keV). MAXI will be installed on the Japanese external module of the ISS. [4]

For details see ASTRO-E II (Suzaku).

[edit] Solar astronomy

Japan's solar astronomy started in the early 80s with the launch of the ASTRO-A mission. The Hinode (Solar-B) spacecraft, the follow-on to the Japan/US/UK Yohkoh (Solar-A) spacecraft, was launched on 23 September 2006. [5] [6]

For details see Hinode

[edit] Technology Tests

One of the primary duties of the former NASDA body was the testing of new space technologies, mostly in the field of communication. The first test satellite was ETS-I,launched in 1975. However during the 1990s NASDA was hit by bad luck with the problems surrounding the ETS-VI and COMETS missions. Nevertheless testing of communication technologies remains as one of the Jaxas key duties in cooperation with NICT. Active Mission: ETS-VIII, OICETS, Index Under Development: WINDS, QZSS-1

[edit] ETS-VIII

On October 14 Jaxa launched the LDREX-2 on the European Ariane 5 to test the deployment mechanism for the antenna of the ETS-VIII.

ETS-VIII was launched on December 18 2006. The purpose of ETS-VIII is to test communication equipment with two very large antennas and an atomic clock test. On December 26th both anntennas were successfully deployed.

For details see ETS-VIII

[edit] OICETS and INDEX

On August 24, 2005, JAXA launched the experimental satellites OICETS and INDEX with the Dnepr rocket. OICETS mission is to test optical links with the European Space Agency (ESA) satellite ARTEMIS, which is around 40,000 km away from OICETS. The experiment was successful on December 9, when the link could be established. In March 2006 Jaxa could establish with OICETS the worldwide first optical links between a LEO satellite and a ground station first in Japan and in June 2006 with a mobile station in Germany.

For details see OICETS

INDEX is a small 70 kg satellite for testing various equipment and for a small aurora observation mission. The satellite is currently in the extended mission phase.

For details see INDEX

[edit] Earth Observation Programme

Japan's first Earth observation satellites were MOS-1a and MOS-1b launched in 1987 and 1990. During the 1990s and the new millennium this programme came under heavy fire, because both Adeos (Midori) and Adeos 2 (Midori 2) satellites failed after just 10 months in orbit.
Active Mission: ALOS Under Development: GOSAT, GCOM-W

[edit] ALOS

In January 2006, JAXA successfully launched the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS/Daichi). Communication between ALOS and the ground station in Japan will be done through the Kodama Data Relay Satellite, which was launched during 2002. This project is under intense pressure due to the shorter than expected life time of the ADEOS II (Midori) Earth Observation Mission.
For details see Advanced Land Observation Satellite

[edit] Environmental Observation

Next funded earth observation mission is the GCOM earth observation programme as a successor to ADEOS II (Midori). To reduce the risk and for a longer observation time the mission will be split into smaller satellites. Altogether GCOM will be a series of six satellites. First launch, GCOM-W is scheduled for 2010 with the H-2A.

[edit] Other satellites

For weather observation Japan launched on February 2005 the Multi-Functional Transport Satellite 1R (MTSAT-1R). The success of this launch was critical for Japan, since the original MTSAT-1 couldn't be put into orbit because of a launch failure with the H-2 rocket in 1999. Since then Japan relied for weather forecasting on an old satellite which was already beyond his useful life term and on American systems. On February 18, 2006, JAXA successfully launched the MTSAT-2 aboard a H-IIA rocket. MTSAT-2 is the backup to the MTSAT-1R. The MTSAT-2 uses the DS-2000 satellite bus developed by Mitsubishi Electric. The DS-2000 is also used for the DRTS Kodama, ETS-VIII and the Superbird 7 communication satellite, making it the first commercial success for Japan.

As a secondary mission both the MTSAT-1R and MTSAT-2 help to direct air traffic.

[edit] Other JAXA satellites currently in use

  • Exos-D (Akebono) Aurora Observation, since 1989.
  • GEOTAIL magnetosphere observation satellite (since 1992)
  • DRTS (Kodama) Data Relay Satellite, since 2002. (Projected Life Span is 7 years)

On going joint missions with NASA are the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), the Aqua Earth Observation Satellite.

[edit] Finished Missions

[edit] Future missions

As JAXA shifted away from international efforts beginning in 2005, plans are developing for independent space missions, such as a proposed manned mission to the moon.

[edit] 2007

In fiscal year 2007, JAXA plans to launch the long delayed WINDS communication satellite whose mission is to experiment faster internet connections.

[edit] 2008 and beyond

JAXA plans to field its new H-IIB rocket in 2008.

The satellite GOSAT (Greenhouse Gas Observing SATellite) is to be launched to help scientists determine and monitor the density distribution of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The satellite is being jointly developed by JAXA and Japan's Ministry of the Environment. JAXA is building the satellite while the Ministry is in charge of the data that will be collected. Since the number of ground-based carbon dioxide observatories cannot monitor enough of the world's atmosphere and are distributed unevenly throughout the globe, the GOSAT may be able to gather more accurate data and fill in the gaps on the globe where there are no observatories on the ground. Sensors for methane and other greenhouse gasses are also being considered for the satellite, although the plans are not yet finalized. The satellite weighs approximately 1650 kg and is expected to have a life span of 5 years. GOSAT will be launched together with SDS-1.

Another project is the Global Precipitation Measurement/Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (GPM/DPR) which is a joint development with NASA. This mission is the successor to the highly successful TRMM mission. JAXA will develop the radar and provide the launch vehicle. Other countries/agencies like China, India, ESA etc. will provide the subsatellites. The aim of this mission is to measure global rainfall. However because of NASA budget limitations this project was pushed back to 2010.

In the year 2009 JAXA plans to launch the first satellite of the Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a subsystem of the global positioning system (GPS). Two others are expected to follow later. If successful, one satellite will be in a zenith position over Japan full time. The QZSS mission is the last scheduled major independent mission for JAXA, as no major civilian projects were funded after that for now. The only exception is the IGS programme which will be continued beyond 2008. However it seems Japan is pressing forward now with the GCOM earth observation satellites as successors to the ADEOS missions. First launch is planned for 2010. In 2009 Japan also plans to launch a new version of the IGS with an improved resolution of 60 cm.

[edit] Funded missions after 2008

  • GOSAT greenhouse gas observation, 2008
  • SDS-1, small demonstration satellite project, 2008
  • SmartSat-1, small communication test and sun corona observation, launch: 2009
  • Quasi Zenith Satellite System, 2009 or later
  • GCOM-W, Climate Observation satellite, launch: Feb, 2011
  • PLANET-C, probe to Venus, launch: May, 2010
  • ASTRO-G (VSOP-2) successor to the Halca mission, launch: Feb, 2012 (late FY 2011)
  • GPM, successor to the TRMM joint NASA mission, launch: 2010-2013
  • BepiColombo, joint ESA mission to Mercury, launch: 2013
  • XEUS joint X-Ray telescope with ESA, launch after 2015.
  • Sohla-1,Sohla-2 Small Demonstration Satellites

For the 2012 ESA EarthCare mission, JAXA will provide the radar system on the satellite. JAXA is also providing the Light Particle Telescope(LPT) for the 2008 Jason 2 satellite by the French CNES.

[edit] New orientation of JAXA

Developing a space science mission like ASTRO-E can take up to 7 years and longer. The problem is, for gaining knowledge in astronomy it is necessary to study cosmic "special events." However because of the long development period of bigger space science mission, there can be long bleak periods in observation, missing opportunities. To prevent this JAXA is planning to use more small scale missions starting from 2010, too. For launching these smaller missions JAXA is also planning to develop a new solid fueled rocket to replace the M-V.

[edit] Proposals for future missions

  • ALOS 2, earth observation
  • NeXT, a new X-ray astronomy mission
  • SPICA, a 3,5 meter infrared telescope to be placed at L2
  • Selene-2, a moon landing mission
  • A solar sail mission to Jupiter
  • JASMINE, infrared telescope for measuring the universe
  • DIOS, small scale x-ray observation
  • Hayabusa 2, for launch in 2010-2011 for target 1999JU3
  • Hayabusa Mark 2

[edit] Human Space Program

Japan has not yet developed its own manned spacecraft. The first Japanese citizen to fly in space was Toyohiro Akiyama, a journalist sponsored by TBS, who flew on the Soviet Soyuz TM-11 in December 1990. He spent more than seven days in space in the Mir Space station, in what the Soviets called their first commercial spaceflight which allowed them to earn $14 million.

The first professional Japanese astronaut was Mamoru Mohri, a NASDA astronaut who flew his first space mission aboard the STS-47 mission in 1992.

Under a new plan, JAXA has set a goal of constructing a manned lunar base in 2030. Astronauts would be sent to the Moon by around 2020 so that they will start construction of the base to be completed by 2030.[6]

[edit] Supersonic aircraft development

Besides the H-IIA and M-5 rockets, JAXA is also developing technology for a next-generation supersonic transport that could become the commercial replacement for the Concorde. The design goal of the project is to develop a jet that can carry 300 passengers at Mach 2. A subscale model of the jet underwent aerodynamic testing in September and October of 2005 in Australia. [7] The economic success of such a project is still unclear, and as a consequence the project has been met with limited interest from Japanese aerospace companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries so far.

[edit] Research centers and offices

JAXA has research centers in many locations in Japan, and some offices overseas. Its headquarters are in Chōfu, Tokyo. It also has

[edit] References

  1. ^ IV. 決算報告書 (Balance Report) (PDF) (Japanese). 平成17事業年度　JAXA財務諸表等に関する事項. JAXA (2006-08-30). Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
  2. ^ Japan launches biggest moon mission since Apollo landings. guardian.co.uk/science. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
  3. ^ Consolidated Launch Manifest - Space Shuttle Flights and ISS Assembly Sequence. NASA.
  4. ^ Japancorp.net, Japan Successfully Launches Lunar Explorer "Kaguya"
  5. ^ BBC NEWS, Japan launches first lunar probe
  6. ^ Staff Writers (August 3, 2006). Japan Plans Moon Base By 2030. Moon Daily. SpaceDaily. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.

[edit] External links

These three links are archived sites of the JAXA predecessor agencies:

v • d • e
Japanese space program
Earth Observation Satellites Daichi · Akebono - Cooperation with NASA: Aqua · TRMM · GEOTAIL - Under Development: GOSAT · GCOM-W · Global Precipitation Measurement
Communication, Positioning and Engineering Test Satellites ETS-VIII · Kirari · Kodama · REIMEI · EGS - Under Development: WINDS · QZSS · Sohla · SDS
Astronomical Observation Satellites Akari · Suzaku · Hinode · REIMEI - Under Development: ASTRO-G
Lunar and Planetary Exploration Satellites Hayabusa  · SELENE - Under Development: PLANET-C · BepiColombo (joint ESA) - Cancelled: LUNAR-A - Status unclear: Hayabusa 2 - Proposed: Selene-2
Human Space Exploration ISS (joint) · H-II Transfer Vehicle
Completed Missions Sakigake  · Suisei  · YOHKOH  · ASCA  · HALCA  · NOZOMI  · MDS-1  · Adeos II  · Micro Lab Sat 1
v • d • e
Public sector space agencies
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Aerospace_Exploration_Agency"
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