The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was born through the merger of three institutions, namely the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). It was designated as a core performance agency to support the Japanese government's overall aerospace development and utilization. JAXA, therefore, can conduct integrated operations from basic research and development, to utilization.
facts
countryJapan
founded2003
focusJapan's national space and aeronautics research and development agency
statusgovernment agency
websiteglobal.jaxa.jp
crawled events
- notable2026-10-22ispace wins JAXA contract to design lunar solar power tower
- notable2026-10-19JAXA launches MMX sample-return mission toward Mars moon Phobos
- notable2026-10-15ArkEdge wins JAXA contracts for two lunar navigation technology demos
- noise2026-09-23ESA-JAXA Ramses spacecraft core module powers on for first time
- notable2026-09-03BepiColombo separates from transfer module, begins Mercury arrival phase
- notable2026-08-20JAXA schedules MMX Mars-moon sample-return launch for October 20
- notable2026-08-11JAXA launches Michibiki 7 navigation satellite on H3 rocket's 9th flight
- notable2026-07-23JAXA completes Epsilon S second-stage engine test after switching to backup motor
- notable2026-07-11JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy fly RV-X reusable rocket testbed on first hop
- notable2026-07-05JAXA's Hayabusa2 makes closest-ever asteroid flyby, first laser ranging
- notable2026-06-12JAXA flies H3 in its boosterless 30 configuration with six satellites aboard
timeline
- 20242024-04-09JAXA and NASA sign agreement for Japan's pressurized lunar rover and Japanese Moon landingsas of 2026-07-12
- 2024-02-17JAXA's H3 rocket succeeds on second flightas of 2026-07-12
- 20232023-03-07JAXA's H3 rocket fails on maiden flightas of 2026-07-12
- 20202020-10-14Japan signs the Artemis Accordsas of 2026-07-12
- 20152015-04JAXA's legal status changed to National Research and Development Agencyas of 2026-07-12
sources
faq
What is JAXA?
JAXA focuses on Japan's national space and aeronautics research and development agency. as of 2026-07-08
Where is JAXA based?
JAXA is based in Japan. as of 2026-07-08
When was JAXA founded?
JAXA was founded in 2003. as of 2026-07-08