The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is the national space agency of Japan. It was formed on October 1, 2003, through the merger of three organizations: the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL). JAXA was established to consolidate and coordinate Japan's space exploration efforts.
JAXA is responsible for various space-related activities, including satellite development and deployment, space exploration missions, and international collaborations. Some of its notable achievements include:
Hayabusa Missions: JAXA's Hayabusa spacecraft successfully returned samples from the asteroid Itokawa in 2010. The follow-up mission, Hayabusa2, collected samples from the asteroid Ryugu and is expected to return them to Earth.
Kibo Module: JAXA developed the Kibo laboratory module, which is a part of the International Space Station (ISS). Kibo provides a unique environment for scientific research in microgravity.
H-IIA and H-IIB Rockets: JAXA operates the H-IIA and H-IIB launch vehicles, which are used to launch satellites and other payloads into space.
Akatsuki Mission: JAXA's Akatsuki spacecraft is studying the atmosphere of Venus, with a focus on understanding its complex meteorological processes.
Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS): JAXA is developing the QZSS, a satellite navigation system designed to provide enhanced and accurate positioning information over Japan and the Asia-Oceania region.
JAXA continues to be actively involved in international collaborations, contributing to various space exploration initiatives. The agency plays a crucial role in advancing Japan's capabilities in space science, satellite technology, and space exploration.
 - Japan){kind=link}