Operations of Japan’s experiment module Kibō begin on the International Space Station. Launch of the asteroid explorer Hayabusa.įormation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as an independent administration agency through the merger of three organizations: the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the National Aerospace Laboratory, and the National Space Development Agency of Japan. Launch of the H-IIA (an improved version of the H-II), achieving a world-class performance compared to both liquid and solid-fuel rockets. Launches begin of the world’s largest solid-propellant rocket, the M-V. The astronaut Mukai Chiaki travels on the Space Shuttle and becomes the first female Asian in space. Launch of the H-II rocket, the first domestically produced rocket to have a first stage, second stage, and an induction-control system. Launches begin of the domestically produced two-stage H-I rocket.Īkiyama Toyohiro, a journalist of the TV station TBS, becomes the first Japanese to take part in a space flight when he travels aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft to the Mir space station, where he stays for six days (roughly 19 years after the first manned flights of the Soviet Union and United States).Īstronaut Mōri Mamoru takes part in a Space Shuttle flight. Launches begin of the improved N-II rocket, capable of carrying large satellites.įirst launch of the Space Shuttle by the United States. Japan successfully launches the Kiku-2, its first geostationary satellite. National Space Development Agency begins launches of the N-I rocket. The University of Tokyo’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science launches Japan’s first artificial satellite Ohsumi, making Japan the fourth country in the world to succeed in this endeavor (13 years behind the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1). (October) Establishment of the National Space Development Agency (the predecessor of JAXA) and the opening of the Tanegashima Space Center. (July 20) Captain Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the surface of the moon.
(July 16) Successful launch of US spacecraft Apollo 11 carrying three astronauts. Kagoshima Space Center (present-day Uchinoura Space Center) established. (May) The United States successfully launches the manned spacecraft Mercury-Redstone 3.
(April) Soviet Union launches Vostok 1 carrying the Soviet cosmonaut Lieutenant Yuri Gagarin-the first person to journey into outer space. Soviet Union successfully launches Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite.
Experimental launch of the ultra-compact “Pencil Rocket” developed at the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo by a team led by Itokawa Hideo.
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