Astrophysics
Akari (ASTRO-F) was an infrared astronomy satellite developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, in cooperation with institutes of Europe and Korea.
Orbital Attempt
#4,755
JAXA Mission
#18
Pad Launch
#29
Location Launch
#34
Designator
2006-005
Feb 21, 2006, 9:28 PM
1 update
The Uchinoura Space Center is a space launch facility in the Japanese town of Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Prefecture. All of Japan's scientific satellites were launched from Uchinoura prior to the M-V launch vehicles being decommissioned in 2006. It continues to be used for suborbital launches, stratospheric balloons and has also been used for the Epsilon orbital launch vehicle. Additionally, the center has antennas for communication with interplanetary space probes.
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Local Launch Time
Feb 22, 2006, 6:28 AM
Total Launches
43
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
31.2519, 131.0819
The M-V rocket also called Mu-5 was a Japanese solid-fuel rocket designed to launch scientific satellites.
Length
30.8 m
Diameter
2.5 m
Launch Mass
137 t
Thrust
3,780 kN
LEO Capacity
1,800 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1997
Fastest Turnaround
7mo 3d
Total Launches
7
Successful
6
Failed
1
Consecutive Success
4
Maiden flight: Feb 12, 1997
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.
Founded
2003
Administrator
Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa
Total Launches
37
Successful
33
Failed
4
Pending
2
Consecutive Success
2