JAXA — Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Overview

JAXA was formed in 2003 by merging three predecessor organisations (NASDA, ISAS, NAL). Japan's space programme is characterised by exceptional precision engineering and world-first scientific achievements — particularly in asteroid exploration. The Hayabusa missions returned samples from two asteroids, making Japan the only country to have accomplished asteroid sample return (twice).

JAXA operates the QZSS regional navigation system, contributes the Kibo laboratory module to the ISS, and has developed the H-IIA/H-IIB and new H3 launch vehicles. Japan is also a pioneer in active debris removal through the ADRAS-J mission and commercial partnerships, positioning itself at the forefront of space sustainability.

Quick Facts

Key Programmes

Hayabusa Asteroid Missions

Hayabusa (2003) and Hayabusa2 (2014) returned samples from asteroids Itokawa and Ryugu. Hayabusa2's sample capsule landed in Australia in December 2020 with pristine carbonaceous material from the early solar system.

SLIM Lunar Lander

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon — achieved Japan's first successful lunar landing in January 2024, demonstrating precision landing within 100 metres of its target.

H3 Launch Vehicle

Japan's next-generation launcher, replacing H-IIA. Designed for lower cost and higher reliability. Successfully flew its second mission in 2024 after a first-flight failure.

ADRAS-J Debris Removal

Astroscale's ADRAS-J, supported by JAXA, successfully demonstrated close-proximity approach to a piece of space debris in orbit — a world-first in active debris removal technology.

QZSS Navigation

Quasi-Zenith Satellite System — a regional augmentation system enhancing GPS accuracy over Japan and Asia-Pacific to centimetre-level precision.

ISS Kibo Module

Japan's Kibo laboratory is the largest pressurised module on the ISS. JAXA also operates the HTV-X cargo vehicle for ISS resupply.

Launch Infrastructure

JAXA launches from:

Launch Vehicles

Timeline