Kagoshima
Kagoshima
Credit - © Mark Wade
Alternate Name: Uchinoura. Other Name: Kimotsuki. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Operator: Japan. Country: Japan. Latitude: 31°15'00" N. Longitude: 131°04'44" E. Altitude: 89 m (291 ft). Minimum Inclination: 29.0 degrees. Maximum Inclination: 75.0 degrees.

Japanese launch center for solid fueled sounding rockets and satellite launchers. Limited to two months a year due to disturbance of local fisheries.

The space center was established in Uchinoura (now Kimotsuki), Kagoshima prefecture, in 1962 as part of the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, when the original facility in Iwaki (now Yuri-Honjo), Akita prefecture, was closed down. In 1964, the space center became part of the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo; in 1981 it became an independent research facility, the Kagoshima Space Center (KSC), attached to the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). Its name was changed to the Uchinoura Space Center (USC) when the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was formed. The center launches sounding rockets and scientific satellites and also manages tracking and data.

More than 360 rockets and 23 satellites and probes were launched from the Kagoshima Space Center between 1970 and 2003. Aside from satellite and planetary probe launches are for scientific purposes, sounding rockets, such as the S-310 and the S-510, have been launched to conduct research on the middle atmosphere and on space plasma.

20-meter and 30-meter antennas receive telemetry from satellites to track and control them while in the earth’s orbit. The 34-meter antenna can backup the 64-meter deep-space antenna at the Usuda Deep Space Center.

Launch Pads
  • Name: Mu Pad. Latitude: 31.2474 N. Longitude: 131.0848 E. Launch Pads: 1. Mu-1, Mu-3.
  • Name: M-V Pad. Latitude: 31.2470 N. Longitude: 131.0850 E. Launch Pads: 1. M-V.
  • Name: Refurbished Mu Pad. Latitude: 31.2474 N. Longitude: 131.0848 E. Launch Pads: 1. Mu-3.
  • Name: Temporary pad. Latitude: 31.2500 N. Longitude: 131.0790 E. Launch Pads: 1. Kappa 8L.
Kagoshima
Credit - © Mark Wade
Kagoshima Chronology and Launch Log
  • 1962 Aug - Test mission Launch Vehicle: K150. K150 AT-150 Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).

  • 1962 August 23 07:15 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-1 Apogee: 173 km (107 mi).

  • 1962 November 25 02:01 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Failure. Kappa 9M K-9M-1 Apogee: 58 km (36 mi).

  • 1962 December 18 05:03 - Cosmic rays mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8. Kappa 8 K-8-11 Apogee: 202 km (125 mi).

  • 1963 May 20 02:09 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-2 Apogee: 345 km (214 mi).

  • 1963 August 24 02:00 - Ionosphere/Test mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 2. Failure. Lambda 2 L-2-1 LC: L. Apogee: 51 km (31 mi).

  • 1963 December 11 05:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 2. Lambda 2 L-2-2 LC: L. Apogee: 410 km (250 mi).

  • 1963 December 12 08:50 - Aeronomy/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-2 Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

  • 1964 March 29 02:12 - Propellant Test mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 PT-135-1 Apogee: 51 km (31 mi).

  • 1964 April 1 03:10 - Aeronomy/Fields mission? Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-3 Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1964 July 11 02:02 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3 L-3-1 LC: L. Apogee: 857 km (532 mi).

  • 1964 July 24 02:07 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-001 Apogee: 49 km (30 mi).

  • 1964 July 26 10:51 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-5 Apogee: 112 km (69 mi).

  • 1964 July 26 09:07 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-4 Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).

  • 1964 July 28 02:08 - Propellant Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 PT-160-1 Apogee: 44 km (27 mi).

  • 1964 July 29 10:07 - Chemical release mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-5 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1964 November 2 09:03 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-7 Apogee: 156 km (96 mi).

  • 1964 November 5 03:01 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-4 Apogee: 356 km (221 mi).

  • 1964 November 10 02:05 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-8 Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

  • 1964 November 12 03:05 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-6 Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1964 November 14 02:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-002 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1964 November 15 07:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-003 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1965 January 22 05:14 - Ionosphere mission? Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-3 Apogee: 350 km (210 mi).

  • 1965 January 31 05:01 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3 L-3-2 LC: L. Apogee: 1,040 km (640 mi).

  • 1965 February 6 05:01 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-7 Apogee: 325 km (201 mi).

  • 1965 February 6 10:02 - Solar RF mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-6 Apogee: 335 km (208 mi).

  • 1965 March 9 02:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-004 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1965 March 11 07:07 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-006 Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

  • 1965 March 11 02:07 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-005 Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

  • 1965 March 18 10:07 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3 L-3-3 LC: L. Apogee: 1,085 km (674 mi).

  • 1965 March 25 11:21 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-8 Apogee: 320 km (190 mi).

  • 1965 March 27 05:01 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-9 Apogee: 335 km (208 mi).

  • 1965 March 28 07:01 - Ionosphere/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-10 Apogee: 349 km (216 mi).

  • 1965 July 8 02:26 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-007 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1965 July 8 11:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-008 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1965 July 12 02:07 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-009 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1965 July 16 10:50 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8. Kappa 8 K-8-12 Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

  • 1965 July 21 02:23 - Spin test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 ST-160-1 Apogee: 9.00 km (5.50 mi).

  • 1965 July 21 05:20 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 ST-160-2 Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

  • 1965 July 26 12:01 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-12 Apogee: 350 km (210 mi).

  • 1965 July 27 03:10 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-13 Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

  • 1965 August 25 00:15 - Booster test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 BT-160-1 Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).

  • 1965 August 25 02:09 - Booster test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 BT-160-2 Apogee: 9.00 km (5.50 mi).

  • 1965 August 28 02:02 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10S K-10S-1 Apogee: 742 km (461 mi).

  • 1965 September 29 07:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-011 Apogee: 51 km (31 mi).

  • 1965 September 29 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-010 Apogee: 48 km (29 mi).

  • 1965 October 4 03:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-14 Apogee: 299 km (185 mi).

  • 1965 October 6 04:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-9 Apogee: 141 km (87 mi).

  • 1965 November 1 02:15 - Propellant Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 PT-160-2 Apogee: 93 km (57 mi).

  • 1965 November 4 07:25 - Despin test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 DS-160-1 Apogee: 35 km (21 mi).

  • 1965 November 8 05:05 - Test/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-1 Apogee: 228 km (141 mi).

  • 1965 December 13 06:20 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-16 Apogee: 318 km (197 mi).

  • 1965 December 18 06:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-17 Apogee: 316 km (196 mi).

  • 1966 January 18 02:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-012 Apogee: 54 km (33 mi).

  • 1966 January 19 10:30 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-014 Apogee: 49 km (30 mi).

  • 1966 January 19 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-013 Apogee: 59 km (36 mi).

  • 1966 January 26 02:10 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-250. S-250 BT-250-1 Apogee: 6.00 km (3.70 mi).

  • 1966 March 5 04:50 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-1 LC: L. Apogee: 1,829 km (1,136 mi).

  • 1966 March 20 12:15 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-15 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1966 April 20 12:05 - Aeronomy/Plasma/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8. Kappa 8 K-8-13 Apogee: 155 km (96 mi).

  • 1966 April 25 04:15 - Instrument test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 IT-160-1 Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

  • 1966 April 28 02:00 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. BT-310 BT-310-1 Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

  • 1966 April 29 00:00 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. BT-310 BT-310-2 Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

  • 1966 April 30 10:40 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-016 Apogee: 54 km (33 mi).

  • 1966 April 30 02:20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-015 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1966 May 2 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-017 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1966 July 17 02:10 - Ionosphere/Solar/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-18 Apogee: 326 km (202 mi).

  • 1966 July 23 06:35 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-2 LC: L. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

  • 1966 August 3 02:00 - Ionosphere mission? Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-11 Apogee: 328 km (203 mi).

  • 1966 August 6 02:00 - Mu Scale model test flight Launch Vehicle: S-310. BT-310 MM-310-1 Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).

  • 1966 August 6 06:30 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 PT-210-1 Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

  • 1966 August 10 12:37 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-19 Apogee: 330 km (200 mi).

  • 1966 August 11 12:05 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-10 Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

  • 1966 August 11 05:30 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 IT-135-1 Apogee: 45 km (27 mi).

  • 1966 August 18 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-018 Apogee: 52 km (32 mi).

  • 1966 September 21 02:10 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 DT-135-1 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1966 September 26 02:58 - Ohsumi 1 Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Fourth stage attitude control failed.. Lambda 4S L-4S-1 LC: L. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).

  • 1966 October 13 04:20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-A -020 Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

  • 1966 October 13 02:25 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-019 Apogee: 44 km (27 mi).

  • 1966 October 18 09:17 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-11 Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1966 October 20 02:20 - Ionosphere/Fields/Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8. Kappa 8 K-8-14 Apogee: 191 km (118 mi).

  • 1966 October 20 08:25 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-20 Apogee: 353 km (219 mi).

  • 1966 October 31 05:04 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Mu-1. Mu-1 M-1-1 LC: M. Apogee: 34 km (21 mi).

  • 1966 November 4 02:05 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-300 ISAS. S-300 PT-300-1 Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

  • 1966 December 5 02:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-21 Apogee: 326 km (202 mi).

  • 1966 December 10 02:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8L. Kappa 8L K-8L-12 Apogee: 147 km (91 mi).

  • 1966 December 10 11:30 - Aeronomy/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-2 Apogee: 253 km (157 mi).

  • 1966 December 20 02:20 - Ohsumi 2 Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Fourth stage failed to ignite.. Lambda 4S L-4S-2 LC: L. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).

  • 1967 January 19 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-021 Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

  • 1967 January 22 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-022 Apogee: 63 km (39 mi).

  • 1967 January 22 05:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-023 Apogee: 62 km (38 mi).

  • 1967 January 22 08:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-024 Apogee: 59 km (36 mi).

  • 1967 January 24 08:00 - Meteorological test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 MT-160-001 Apogee: 86 km (53 mi).

  • 1967 January 24 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-025 Apogee: 59 km (36 mi).

  • 1967 January 27 02:15 - Instrument test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 IT-160-2 Apogee: 86 km (53 mi).

  • 1967 January 31 02:05 - Ionosphere/Solar Radio Frequency mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-22 Apogee: 327 km (203 mi).

  • 1967 February 6 02:10 - Ionosphere/Chemical release/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-3 LC: L. Apogee: 2,150 km (1,330 mi).

  • 1967 March 7 11:00 - Test/Fields/Solar X-ray mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-3 Apogee: 248 km (154 mi).

  • 1967 March 11 06:30 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 PT-210-2 Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

  • 1967 April 13 - Ohsumi 3 Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Fourth stage failed to ignite.. Lambda 4S L-4S-3 LC: L. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1968 September 10 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 ST-160-F-2 Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

  • 1968 September 10 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 ST-160-F-1 Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

  • 1968 September 12 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 SO-160-1 Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

  • 1968 September 14 04:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 S-160-2 Apogee: 82 km (50 mi).

  • 1968 September 14 01:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 S-160-1 Apogee: 82 km (50 mi).

  • 1968 September 15 05:18 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-037 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1968 September 15 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-036 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1969 January 4 05:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-039 Apogee: 59 km (36 mi).

  • 1969 January 4 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-038 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1969 January 5 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-40 Apogee: 59 km (36 mi).

  • 1969 January 5 05:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135P MT-135P-1 Apogee: 44 km (27 mi).

  • 1969 January 8 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-250. S-250 SO-250-B Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1969 January 8 02:10 - Ionosphere/Chemical release/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-25 Apogee: 343 km (213 mi).

  • 1969 January 9 07:40 - Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8. Kappa 8 K-8-15 Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

  • 1969 January 9 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-300 ISAS. Failure. S-300 S-300-1

  • 1969 January 12 05:10 - Stability test Aeronomy/Solar Ultraviolet/Test mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10C K-10C-1 Apogee: 229 km (142 mi).

  • 1969 January 14 10:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-4 Apogee: 229 km (142 mi).

  • 1969 January 16 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-4 LC: L. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

  • 1969 January 19 12:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-24 Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

  • 1969 February 13 02:05 - Fields/Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-23 Apogee: 310 km (190 mi).

  • 1969 February 13 - TVC test (1-stage) Test mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 PT-420-001 Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1969 August 7 12:15 - Ionosphere/Plasma/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-27 Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

  • 1969 August 7 - Plasma/Fields/Solar mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-2 Apogee: 101 km (62 mi).

  • 1969 August 8 12:00 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-1 Apogee: 101 km (62 mi).

  • 1969 August 17 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3D M-3D-1 LC: M. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

  • 1969 August 24 08:04 - Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-26 Apogee: 341 km (211 mi).

  • 1969 August 24 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-300 ISAS. S-300 S-300-2 Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

  • 1969 August 25 - Instrumentation Test Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 IT-160-3 Apogee: 78 km (48 mi).

  • 1969 September 3 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Lambda 4T L-4T-1 LC: L. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).

  • 1969 September 6 11:35 - Zodiacal light Ionosphere/Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-5 Apogee: 247 km (153 mi).

  • 1969 September 6 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-041 Apogee: 59 km (36 mi).

  • 1969 September 7 05:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-042 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1969 September 7 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135P MT-135-P -002 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1969 September 8 10:20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-300 ISAS. Failure. S-300 S-300-3 Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

  • 1969 September 22 02:10 - Ohsumi 4 Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Fourth stage control system malfunction after third stage collided with fourth stage.. Lambda 4S L-4S-4 LC: L. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).

  • 1969 September 26 - TVC test mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Failure. Kappa 10C K-10C-2 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1969 September 27 02:05 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135P MT-135-P -003 Apogee: 52 km (32 mi).

  • 1969 September 27 05:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-043 Apogee: 49 km (30 mi).

  • 1970 January 17 01:20 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-3 Apogee: 119 km (73 mi).

  • 1970 January 21 02:10 - Ionosphere/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-6 LC: L. Apogee: 1,848 km (1,148 mi).

  • 1970 January 22 05:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135P MT-135-P -004 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1970 January 23 05:00 - Meteorological test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 MT-160-2 Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

  • 1970 January 23 02:20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135P MT-135-P -005 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1970 January 25 05:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-28 Apogee: 369 km (229 mi).

  • 1970 January 27 10:20 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-29 Apogee: 357 km (221 mi).

  • 1970 February 11 04:25 - Ohsumi 5 Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Lambda 4S L-4S-5 LC: L. Apogee: 2,440 km (1,510 mi). Engineering tests. Engineering test for the launching of scientific satellites. Injection point 29.7 N, 145.8 E

  • 1970 September 2 10:14 - Ionosphere/Release mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 8. Kappa 8 K-8-16 Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

  • 1970 September 13 - TVC test mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10C K-10C-3 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1970 September 19 11:30 - X-ray/Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-5 LC: L. Apogee: 2,017 km (1,253 mi).

  • 1970 September 25 - SS Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Fourth stage failed to ignite.. Mu-4S M-4S-1 LC: M. Apogee: 712 km (442 mi).

  • 1970 September 27 06:42 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-32 Apogee: 346 km (214 mi).

  • 1970 September 28 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-5 Apogee: 108 km (67 mi).

  • 1971 January 16 02:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-4 Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

  • 1971 January 16 07:15 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-30 Apogee: 357 km (221 mi).

  • 1971 January 23 13:20 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-35 Apogee: 338 km (210 mi).

  • 1971 January 24 02:00 - X-ray Astronomy/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-34 Apogee: 328 km (203 mi).

  • 1971 February 16 04:00 - Tansei 1 Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-4S M-4S-2 LC: M. Apogee: 1,106 km (687 mi). Engineering test for the launching of scientific satellites. Injection point 29.7 N, 145.8 E

  • 1971 August 18 12:00 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-31 Apogee: 330 km (200 mi).

  • 1971 August 20 - TVC test mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Failure. Lambda 4SC L-4SC-1 LC: L. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi).

  • 1971 August 20 12:10 - Optical Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-7 Apogee: 274 km (170 mi).

  • 1971 August 25 05:40 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Failure. Kappa 9M K-9M-36

  • 1971 August 26 10:35 - Cesium Release Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-33 Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

  • 1971 September 1 02:10 - Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-6 Apogee: 228 km (141 mi).

  • 1971 September 3 12:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-7 LC: L. Apogee: 1,718 km (1,067 mi).

  • 1971 September 28 04:00 - SS-01 Shinsei Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-4S M-4S-3 LC: M. Apogee: 1,866 km (1,159 mi). Scientific observations in outer space. Injection point 29 deg 7 min N, 145 deg 8 min E.

  • 1971 September 29 - Para. test mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 S-160-3 Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

  • 1972 January 21 02:24 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-6 Apogee: 112 km (69 mi).

  • 1972 January 23 11:22 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-37 Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

  • 1972 January 29 - Structural Dynamics Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 DT-210-1 Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1972 February 17 08:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-7 Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

  • 1972 February 18 09:28 - Cesium Release Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-39 Apogee: 310 km (190 mi).

  • 1972 February 21 02:00 - Fields mission Launch Vehicle: S-160. S-160 S-160-4 Apogee: 81 km (50 mi).

  • 1972 February 22 06:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-38 Apogee: 352 km (218 mi).

  • 1972 August 19 02:40 - SS-02 Denpa Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-4S M-4S-4 LC: M. Apogee: 6,322 km (3,928 mi). Ionospheric experiments. Scientific observations in the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Interjection point 31 deg 15' N 11 deg 05' E.

  • 1972 September 12 11:10 - Fiberglass Casing Infrared Astronomy/X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-8 Apogee: 259 km (160 mi).

  • 1972 September 20 05:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-40 Apogee: 326 km (202 mi).

  • 1973 January 15 23:40 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-8 Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

  • 1973 January 19 09:00 - VLF Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-41 Apogee: 330 km (200 mi).

  • 1973 January 28 - TVC test mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Lambda 4SC L-4SC-2 LC: L. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi).

  • 1973 February 19 00:22 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-9 Apogee: 236 km (146 mi).

  • 1973 February 23 09:38 - Cesium Release Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-42 Apogee: 306 km (190 mi).

  • 1973 August 19 09:55 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-9 Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

  • 1973 August 21 07:00 - Plasma/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-43 Apogee: 355 km (220 mi).

  • 1973 August 27 12:00 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-44 Apogee: 341 km (211 mi).

  • 1973 September 22 09:20 - X-ray Astronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-10 Apogee: 242 km (150 mi).

  • 1974 January 16 02:00 - Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-45 Apogee: 360 km (220 mi).

  • 1974 January 22 11:00 - X-ray Astronomy mission. Stage 2 reached 329 km. Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-8 LC: L. Apogee: 1,571 km (976 mi).

  • 1974 February 16 05:00 - Tansei 2 Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3C M-3C-1 LC: M. Apogee: 3,231 km (2,007 mi). Attitude control satellite (performance test of launch vehicle).

  • 1974 August 20 09:55 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-10 Apogee: 112 km (69 mi).

  • 1974 Sep? - TVC test mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Lambda 4SC L-4SC-3 LC: L. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi).

  • 1974 September 16 15:40 - Plasma gun M/D Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-46 Apogee: 336 km (208 mi).

  • 1974 September 19 02:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-47 Apogee: 328 km (203 mi).

  • 1974 September 20 11:32 - Ionosphere/X-ray/Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-48 Apogee: 348 km (216 mi).

  • 1975 Jan - Test mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-1 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1975 January 17 09:35 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-49 Apogee: 363 km (225 mi).

  • 1975 January 23 11:05 - X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-50 Apogee: 353 km (219 mi).

  • 1975 February 24 05:25 - SS-03 Taiyo Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3C M-3C-2 LC: M. Apogee: 3,125 km (1,941 mi). Examined solar radiation, thermospheric structure. SRATS (Solar and Thermospheric Radiation Satellite) is the third Japanese scientific satellite, to study the intereffects of solar radiation and the thermosphere of the earth. National name: Taiyo. Launch time 0525 GMT.

  • 1975 August 26 10:40 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-53 Apogee: 351 km (218 mi).

  • 1975 August 30 04:10 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-2 Apogee: 191 km (118 mi).

  • 1975 September 2 12:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-51 Apogee: 311 km (193 mi).

  • 1975 September 23 12:00 - Soft XR X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-52 Apogee: 336 km (208 mi).

  • 1975 September 24 05:00 - X-ray Astronomy/Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-11 Apogee: 196 km (121 mi).

  • 1976 January 16 21:00 - Magnetospheric mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-54 Apogee: 367 km (228 mi).

  • 1976 January 18 05:20 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-12 Apogee: 350 km (210 mi).

  • 1976 February 4 - Corsa A Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Stage 2 thrust vector control failure.. Mu-3C M-3C-3 LC: M.

  • 1976 August 17 10:15 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-11 Apogee: 112 km (69 mi).

  • 1976 August 21 12:10 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-3 Apogee: 195 km (121 mi).

  • 1976 August 30 19:55 - Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-57 Apogee: 288 km (178 mi).

  • 1976 September 16 02:00 - Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-55 Apogee: 359 km (223 mi).

  • 1976 September 18 10:00 - Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-56 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1977 January 16 12:45 - Test/Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-58 Apogee: 324 km (201 mi).

  • 1977 February 19 05:15 - Tansei 3 Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3H M-3H-1 LC: M. Apogee: 3,802 km (2,362 mi). Tentative name before launching: MS-T3. Launching organization: Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo. Radio frequencies: 136.725 MHz, tracking; 400.500 MHz, telemetry. Active life: two weeks. Function: (1) Test of the overall p erformance of the newly developed launch vehicle, M-3H-1. (2) Experiment of magnetic stabilization. (3) Observation of ultraviolet radiation.

  • 1977 August 16 11:15 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. Lambda 3H L-3H-9 LC: L. Apogee: 1,294 km (804 mi).

  • 1977 September 3 10:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Solar Eclipse mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-59 Apogee: 376 km (233 mi).

  • 1977 September 14 12:22 - Ultraviolet Astronomy/Extreme ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-13 Apogee: 204 km (126 mi).

  • 1977 September 15 09:30 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-12 Apogee: 114 km (70 mi).

  • 1977 September 21 08:35 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-4 Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

  • 1978 January 22 02:00 - Ionosphere/Fields/Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-62 Apogee: 369 km (229 mi).

  • 1978 January 27 11:00 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-61 Apogee: 292 km (181 mi).

  • 1978 February 4 07:00 - SS-05 Kyokko Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3H M-3H-2 LC: M. Apogee: 3,952 km (2,455 mi). Auroral studies. Active life - two years. Function: 1) Observation of wide angle global auroral pictures using UV television camera. 2) Spectrophotometry of ultraviolet air glow. 3) Observation of the energy spectrum of photoelectrons and auroral electrons. 4) Mass spect rometry of the ionized atmospheric species in the thermosphere. 5) Measurements of density and temperature of ambient electrons in the thermosphere. 6) Observation of electromagnetic and plasma waves and the emission associated with auroral phenomena.

  • 1978 February 26 11:00 - Ultraviolet Astronomy/Extreme ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-60 Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

  • 1978 August 20 11:30 - Test/Infrared Astronomy/Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-64 Apogee: 319 km (198 mi).

  • 1978 September 16 05:00 - SS-06 Jikiken Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3H M-3H-3 LC: M. Apogee: 21,192 km (13,168 mi). Launching organization: Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo. Stimulated plasma wave experiment, natural plasma wave measurement, plasma parameter measurement by VLF Doppler technique, electric field probe and plasma density me asurement, energetic particle analysis, and controlled electron beam emission experiment. Characteristics: weight 90.5 kg, configuration - polyhedron with 38 faces, height 0.6m , diameter 0.75m, attitude control spin stabilization, life two years.

  • 1979 January 16 20:50 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-65 Apogee: 353 km (219 mi).

  • 1979 January 19 08:50 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-6 Apogee: 212 km (131 mi).

  • 1979 January 21 09:06 - Test/Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-66 Apogee: 336 km (208 mi).

  • 1979 January 31 02:00 - Ionosphere/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-5 Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

  • 1979 February 21 05:00 - SS-04 Hakucho Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3C M-3C-4 LC: M. Apogee: 566 km (351 mi). Soft X-ray telescope. Launching organization: Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo. Function: Observation of X-ray radiation of celestial bodies with good time resolution over a wide spectrum range. Characterstics: weight 96 kg, configuration regula r octagonal prism, height 0.66 m, diameter 0.76m, spin stabilized. Expected life 2 years.

  • 1979 August 18 07:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-67 Apogee: 365 km (226 mi).

  • 1979 September 11 01:00 - Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-68 Apogee: 353 km (219 mi).

  • 1979 September 15 11:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-7 Apogee: 166 km (103 mi).

  • 1980 January 16 03:00 - TPE-1 Ionosphere/Tether mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-69 Apogee: 328 km (203 mi).

  • 1980 January 18 06:20 - Heat Pipe Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-1 LC: K. Apogee: 329 km (204 mi).

  • 1980 February 2 08:47 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-8 Apogee: 179 km (111 mi).

  • 1980 February 17 00:40 - Tansei 4 Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S M-3S-1 LC: M. Apogee: 608 km (377 mi).

  • 1980 August 26 11:40 - X-ray Astronomy/Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 10. Kappa 10 K-10-14 Apogee: 219 km (136 mi).

  • 1980 September 2 10:40 - Test/Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-70 Apogee: 230 km (140 mi).

  • 1980 September 4 12:45 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-71 Apogee: 308 km (191 mi).

  • 1981 January 21 21:46 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-9 Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

  • 1981 January 29 07:00 - TPE-2 Ionosphere/Tether mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-2 LC: K. Apogee: 323 km (200 mi).

  • 1981 February 21 00:30 - SS-07 Hinotori Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S M-3S-2 LC: M. Apogee: 279 km (173 mi). Hinotori (ASTRO-A). Launching organisation: Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo. Investigation of solar flare by X-ray telescope and spectrograph.

  • 1981 August 24 12:00 - Test/Auroral/Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-10 Apogee: 187 km (116 mi).

  • 1981 September 5 01:00 - PL Recovery test/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-4 LC: K. Apogee: 224 km (139 mi).

  • 1981 September 7 09:38 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-11 Apogee: 193 km (119 mi).

  • 1982 January 15 09:20 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-73 Apogee: 303 km (188 mi).

  • 1982 February 13 02:00 - Test/Ionosphere/Plasma/Fields mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-72 Apogee: 328 km (203 mi).

  • 1982 February 14 10:50 - 0.1m telescope test Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-3 LC: K. Apogee: 266 km (165 mi).

  • 1982 February 18 12:40 - Ultraviolet/X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-74 Apogee: 315 km (195 mi).

  • 1982 September 6 02:00 - 0.1m telescope Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-5 LC: K. Apogee: 237 km (147 mi).

  • 1982 September 12 12:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-210. S-210 S-210-13 Apogee: 97 km (60 mi).

  • 1982 September 13 12:30 - Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-75 Apogee: 320 km (190 mi).

  • 1982 September 25 09:15 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-12 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1983 January 14 20:40 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-76 Apogee: 349 km (216 mi).

  • 1983 February 20 05:10 - SS-08 Tenma Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S M-3S-3 LC: M1. Apogee: 438 km (272 mi). X-ray experiments. Astro-B (Tenma). Launch 0510 GMT. Launching organization: ISAS (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science). X-ray observation of X-ray stars in our galaxy as well as X-ray galaxies using a scintillating proportional counter, a transient X-ray source mo nitor, an X-ray foucsing collector, a radiation belt monitor, a gamma ray burst detector and a star sensor.

  • 1983 August 29 10:00 - MINIX Plasma physics mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-6 LC: K. Apogee: 238 km (147 mi).

  • 1983 September 12 22:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-13 Apogee: 227 km (141 mi).

  • 1983 September 16 18:16 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-14 Apogee: 218 km (135 mi).

  • 1984 January 13 19:30 - Infrared Astronomy/X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-77 Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

  • 1984 January 17 - SRB Sep test mission Launch Vehicle: ST-735. ST-735 ST-735-1 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1984 February 14 08:00 - SS-09 Onzora Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S M-3S-4 LC: M1. Apogee: 331 km (205 mi). Optical investigations of ionosphere. EXOS-C (OHZORA). Optical study of the stratosphere and middle atmosphere. Study of the specific phenomena of the ionospheric plasma over the southern Atlantic geomagnetic anomaly zone which was discovered by the third scientific satellite 'TAIYO'. Launch vehicle Mu-3S-4, launching organization ISAS (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science). Launch time 0800 GMT.

  • 1985 January 7 19:26 - SS-10 Sagikake Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-1 LC: M1. Sakigake ('Pioneer') was a test spacecraft similar to Suisei (Planet-A). Objectives were :verification of fundamental technology related to interplanetary missions, including deep-space communication, attitude control, attitude determination; study and observation of solar wind and plasma waves and interplanetary magnetic field. It carried three instruments to measure plasma wave spectra, solar wind ions, and interplanetary magnetic fields. The spacecraft was spin-stabilized at two different rates (5 and 0.2 rpm). It was equipped with hydrazine thrusters for attitude and velocity control, star and sun sensors for attitude determination, and a mechanically despun off-set parabolic dish for long-range communication. Launched into an initial heliocentric orbit with a period of 318.8 days, at 151.4 x 121.9 million km (0.815 x 1.012 AU), 1.439 degree inclination. Flew by Comet Halley on its sunward side at a distance of about 7 million kilometers on March 11, 1986. It later made an Earth swingby on January 8, 1992 with a closest approach of 88,997 km. This was the first planet-swingby for a Japanese spacecraft. During the approach, Sakigake observed the geotail, with passage occurring at 290 Re on 14 June 1993 before ISTP's multi-spacecraft investigation of that region. The second Earth swingby was on June 14, 1993 at 40 Re, and the third on October 28, 1994 at 86 Re. Almost no hydrazine remained so no further maneuvers were accomplished. Telemetry contact was lost on 15 November 1995 at a distance of 106 million km. Future mission planning had included a 23.6 km/s, 10,000 km flyby of Comet Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova on Feb 3, 1996 (approaching the nucleus along the tail) some 0.17 AU from the Sun, and a 14 million km passage of Comet Giacobini-Zinner on Nov 29, 1998.

  • 1985 February 7 09:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-15 LC: K. Apogee: 213 km (132 mi).

  • 1985 February 11 10:30 - Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-7 LC: K. Apogee: 362 km (224 mi).

  • 1985 August 18 23:33 - SS-11 Suisei Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-2 LC: M1. Rendezvoused with comet Halley 3/8/86. Solar Orbit (Heliocentric). PLANET-A (SUISEI). Launch time 2333 GMT. Imaging of the hydrogen coma of Halley's comet by the hydrogen Lyman alpha line. Measurement of the solar wind in the cruising phase and in the vicinity of the comet. Launching organiza tion ISAS. Heliocentric orbit parameters 282 days, inclination 0.888 deg, 151.42 x 100.5 million km (1.0122 x 0.6718 AU).

  • 1985 September 14 14:40 - CIR/DIP Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-78 Apogee: 297 km (184 mi).

  • 1986 January 31 08:00 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-79 Apogee: 319 km (198 mi).

  • 1986 February 1 12:40 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-16 LC: K. Apogee: 201 km (124 mi).

  • 1986 September 6 13:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-17 LC: K. Apogee: 202 km (125 mi).

  • 1987 January 15 08:10 - Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-9 LC: K. Apogee: 365 km (226 mi).

  • 1987 February 5 06:30 - Ginga Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-3 LC: M1. Apogee: 450 km (270 mi). Studyied galactic gamma ray, X-ray sources. ASTRO-C (Ginga). Observation of variabilities of X-rays from active galactic nuclei and galactic compact sources. Launching organization ISAS. Launch time 0630 GMT.

  • 1987 February 21 16:15 - Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-8 LC: K. Apogee: 286 km (177 mi).

  • 1987 February 22 15:00 - CIR Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-80 Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

  • 1988 January 25 02:00 - COREX Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Kappa 9M K-9M-81 Apogee: 359 km (223 mi).

  • 1988 January 28 02:00 - Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-18 LC: K. Apogee: 202 km (125 mi).

  • 1989 February 1 12:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-19 LC: K. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi).

  • 1989 February 21 23:30 - Akebono Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-4 LC: M1. Apogee: 8,554 km (5,315 mi). Studied aurora borealis, auroral australis. EXOS-D (Akebono). Observation in high precision of behaviour and acceleration mechanism of aurora particles in Earth magnetosphere. Launching organization ISAS. Launch time 2330 GMT.

  • 1989 September 4 16:15 - CIR Cosmic IR Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-10 LC: K. Apogee: 288 km (178 mi).

  • 1989 September 6 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-50 Apogee: 54 km (33 mi).

  • 1990 January 24 11:46 - Hiten Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-5 LC: M1. Apogee: 286,183 km (177,825 mi). MUSES-A was renamed Hiten after launch. It developed of lunar swingby techniques for future missions and ejected a lunar orbiter. Launching organization ISAS. On 1990 Jan 25: Period 6.665 days, inclination 30.63 deg, 262.49 x 286182.72 km. On 1992 Feb 17: Period 4.53 days, inclination 38.90 deg, perilune 2289.67 km, apolune 49013.93 km.

  • 1990 January 27 19:30 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-20 LC: K. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

  • 1990 February 21 16:00 - CIR Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-11 LC: K. Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

  • 1990 August 27 02:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-52 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1991 February 9 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-53 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1991 February 11 02:10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-54 Apogee: 62 km (38 mi).

  • 1991 February 16 13:00 - Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-13 LC: K. Apogee: 337 km (209 mi).

  • 1991 August 30 02:30 - Solar-A Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-6 LC: M1. Apogee: 754 km (468 mi). X-ray imaging of Sun.

  • 1991 September 11 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-55 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1991 September 12 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-56 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1992 January 28 12:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-21 LC: K. Apogee: 223 km (138 mi).

  • 1992 February 1 16:00 - CIR Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-15 LC: K. Apogee: 338 km (210 mi).

  • 1992 September 9 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-57 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1992 September 23 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-58 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1993 February 18 07:00 - METS Ionosphere/Active plasma mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-16 LC: K. Apogee: 272 km (169 mi).

  • 1993 February 20 02:20 - Asuka Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-7 LC: M1. Apogee: 646 km (401 mi). X-ray imaging and astronomy. Imaging and spectroscopic observations of various astronomical objects (stars and galaxies) in the X-ray band. Launching organization ISAS. Launch time 0200 GMT. Astro-D 'ASCA'.

  • 1993 September 24 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-59 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1994 September 6 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-60 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1994 September 7 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-61 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1994 September 15 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-62 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1994 September 16 04:00 - FIH test mission Launch Vehicle: ST-735. ST-735 ST-735-2 Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

  • 1994 September 18 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-63 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1995 January 15 13:45 - Express 1 Launch Vehicle: Mu-3. Failure of second stage attitude control system.. Mu-3S-II M-3S2-8 LC: M1. At first thought not to have reached orbit. Later the re-entry vehicle was discovered in Ghana having reentered and deployed its parachute on January 15. At T+103 sec, during the second stage burn, the vehicle veered off course. The payload service module entered a 110 x 250 km x 33 degree orbit, instead of the intended 270 x 380 km and re-entered on its second orbit. The re-entry capsule was found later in Ghana. A failure of the second stage attitude control system was blamed, although it was considered likely that the payload was too heavy for the vehicle, being twice the mass of earlier MU-3S payloads.

  • 1995 January 23 12:30 - Infrared Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-17 LC: K. Apogee: 346 km (214 mi).

  • 1995 January 28 16:00 - Extreme ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-19 LC: K. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi).

  • 1995 September 17 07:30 - Lunar Penetrator test technology mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. Failure. S-520 S-520-20 LC: K. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

  • 1996 February 11 11:00 - NTV-1 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-24 LC: K. Apogee: 199 km (123 mi).

  • 1996 August 20 15:30 - SEEK Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-26 LC: K. Apogee: 177 km (109 mi).

  • 1996 August 26 14:00 - SEEK Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-25 LC: K. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

  • 1996 September 15 02:30 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-64 Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

  • 1997 January 13 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-65 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1997 January 14 13:15 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Viper. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1997 January 14 12:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Viper. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1997 January 30 07:30 - Lunar Penetrator test technology mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-18 LC: K. Apogee: 309 km (192 mi).

  • 1997 February 12 04:50 - Haruka Launch Vehicle: M-V. M-V M-V-1 LC: M-V. Apogee: 21,415 km (13,306 mi).

  • 1997 September 8 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-66 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1997 September 9 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-67 Apogee: 52 km (32 mi).

  • 1998 January 25 08:35 - SEEK Ozone Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-27 LC: K. Apogee: 183 km (113 mi).

  • 1998 January 31 04:30 - XUV Doppler Telescope Solar X-ray/Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: S-520. S-520 S-520-22 LC: K. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

  • 1998 February 5 08:30 - Test/Plasma mission Launch Vehicle: SS-520. SS-520 SS-520-1 LC: K. Apogee: 750 km (460 mi).

  • 1998 July 3 18:12 - Nozomi Launch Vehicle: M-V. M-V M-V-3 LC: M-V. Apogee: 489,381 km (304,086 mi). Originally known as Planet-B; renamed Nozomi ('Hope') after launch. The third stage and payload entered a 146 x 417 km x 31.1 deg parking orbit. The KM-V1 kick (fourth) stage then fired to place the spacecraft into a circumlunar 359 x 401491 km x 28.6 deg orbit. Nozomi made multiple lunar and Earth gravity assist passes to increase its energy for solar orbit insertion and the cruise to Mars.. The spacecraft used a lunar swingby on 24 September and another on 18 December 1998 to increase the apogee of its orbit. It swung by Earth on 20 December at a perigee of about 1000 km. The gravitational assist from the swingby coupled with a 7 minute burn of the bipropellant engine put Nozomi into an escape trajectory towards Mars. It was scheduled to arrive at Mars on 11 October 1999 at 7:45:14 GMT, but the Earth swingby left the spacecraft with insufficient acceleration and two course correction burns on 21 December used more propellant than planned, leaving the spacecraft short of fuel. The new plan is for Nozomi to remain in heliocentric orbit for an additional four years and encounter Mars at a slower relative velocity in December 2003.

  • 1998 September 7 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-68 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1998 September 9 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-69 Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

  • 1999 February 2 01:30 - Ionosphere/X-ray mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-28 LC: K. Apogee: 184 km (114 mi).

  • 1999 September 7 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-70 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 1999 September 11 02:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-71 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 2000 January 9 20:50 - WAVE2000 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-29 LC: K. Apogee: 179 km (111 mi).

  • 2000 February 10 01:30 - ASTRO E Launch Vehicle: M-V. First stage failure. An anomalous vibration was detected 25 seconds after launch. At 41 seconds ceramic heat shields in the first stage nozzle broke and fell off, and thrust vector control on the nozzle was lost.. M-V M-V-4 LC: M-V. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Spacecraft was injected in very low perigee orbit and reentered.. X-ray astronomy satellite. Stage 1 lost control, and separated with the rocket off-course at 75 seconds in the flight. Stage 2 burned correctly and separated at 218 seconds, followed by the third stage burn at 621 seconds. Last signals were received at 20 minutes after launch. ASTRO-E was to have separated from the third stage at 23 minutes, but ended in an orbit with a perigee of only 80 km and an apogee of 410 km. It probably reentered on the first orbit at around 0230 - 0300 GMT somewhere between East Africa and western China.

  • 2000 Sep 18? - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-72 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

  • 2000 Sep 19? - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135-73 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 2001 March 21 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: MT-135. MT-135 MT-135 R1119 Apogee: 55 km (34 mi). The Japan Meteorological Agency launched the 1119th MT-135P meteorological sounding rocket from the meteorological observation station in Sanriku-cho, Iwate-ken. This was the final launch of the type. The MT-135P had served for more than thirty years gathering meteorological data in the upper atmosphere since the first launching on July 15, 1970. IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd. has been responsible for design, development and manufacture of the MT-135P.

  • 2002 February 16 10:30 - NTV-2 Thermosphere Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-30 LC: K. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 2002 August 3 14:24 - SEEK-2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-31 LC: K. Apogee: 152 km (94 mi).

  • 2002 August 3 14:39 - SEEK-2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-32 LC: K. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

  • 2003 May 9 - Hayabusa Launch Vehicle: M-V. M-5/KM-V2 (M-V-5) LC: M-V. Asteroid sample return probe launched toward asteroid 1998 SF36. Launch delayed from Nov. 24, 2002, then May 5, 2003.

  • 2004 January 17 15:30 - WAVE2004 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-33 LC: K. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 2004 August 9 08:15 - Solar Sails Technology mission Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 S-310-34 LC: K. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

  • 2005 July 10 03:30 - Suzaku Launch Vehicle: M-V. M-V M-V-5 LC: M-V. Apogee: 573 km (356 mi). Delayed from February, June 26, July 6 and 8, 2005. CUTE-1.7 nanosat mistakenly reported on this flight. Astro-E2 was renamed Suzaku (after a legendary red bird) after launch. It replaced the Astro-E, which never reached orbit due to an M-V-4 launch failure in 2000. The satellite had five 0.4-meter diameter X-ray telescopes, one with an XRS microcalorimeter and the other four with X-ray CCD cameras. However it was revealed that the XRS failed on 9 August due to leaking of helium coolant.

  • 2006 January 22 04:00 - Furoshiki Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 s/n S-310-36 LC: K. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). Tech

  • 2006 February 21 21:28 - Astro F (Akari) Launch Vehicle: M-V. LC: M-V. Apogee: 719 km (446 mi). Carried a 0.67m-diameter liquid-helium-cooled infrared telescope with detectors ranging from the near infrared to 60 and 170 micron channels in the far IR. It was to carry out the first far infrared sky survey since IRAS in 1983.

  • 2006 September 22 21:36 - Hinode (Solar B) Launch Vehicle: M-V. LC: M-V. Apogee: 695 km (431 mi). Solar satellite with a large optical telescope and an X-ray telescope built by the Smithsonian Observatory.

  • 2007 January 16 02:20 - S-310-37 Launch Vehicle: S-310. S-310 s/n S-310-37 Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Ionosphere

Bibliography and Further Reading
  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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