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Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyLaunch SuccessfulAstrophysicsH-II
Launched 1995-03-18 08:01 UTCYoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Success
Reached Low Earth Orbit
Worldwide
13th
orbital launch attempt in 1995
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
1st
launch this year
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
1st
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
202 d
since the pad's previous launch
SFU (Space Flyer Unit) was a Japanese space laboratory launched by the same H-2 + SSB rocket that launched GMS 5. It carried an infrared telescope (IRTS), and instruments and supplies for microgravity experiments. Himawari 5 was a Japanese geostationary meteorological satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications.
Launch Provider
Government · Japan · Founded 2003 · Administrator Hiroshi Yamakawa
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.
Launches
37
Successful
33
89%
Upcoming
2
scheduled
Height
49m
Diameter
4m
To low Earth orbit
10,060kg
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ETS-9Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · H3-22 · Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, JapanGeostationary Transfer OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026
IGS Optical Diversification 1Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · H3-30 · Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, JapanSun-Synchronous OrbitTo be determinedTime TBD