Tanegashima Space Center in Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture
Author: Gerhard van Niekerk
Broadly, the Japenese space programme began in the 1950s, initiated by Hideo Itokawa, or ‘Dr Rocket’, at the University of Tokyo. Initially characterised by numerous rocket launch failures (as was common among all newcomers to this industry), Japan achieved the construction of over 15-metre tall rockets by the mid-1960s.
In this era of the Japanese space programme, the vision was to launch a man-made satellite that would orbit the globe, a vision which originated with the development of the humble 30-centimetre tall pencil rocket.[1] This culminated in the launch of the Ohsumi satellite, which circled the earth for 33 years before being released into orbit. Ohsumi was developed and launched in 1970 by Japan’s Institute of Space and Aeronautical Sciences (ISAS).[2] Since its inception, the Japanese space programme was conducted by three different organisations, namely ISAS, the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was recognised that in order for Japan to increase its efficiency in this industry, a more integrated approach would be necessary. Thus, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was established in 2003.[3]
JAXA’s task was to integrate the impressive gains made in the development of large-scale rocket technologies by the various organisations. Research and production of Japanese rockets were previously conducted on multiple fronts, which started to pose serious challenges for the progression of local technological development. This became a reality when the United States (US) enforced its ‘Section 301’ trade regulation, which limited trade with states that utilised trade tariffs in order to protect their domestic industries. This hampered the progress of local Japanese technological know-how due to the competition they faced from the West’s rocket industry.[4] Being forced to compete with a larger player that sold rockets which were less expensive to produce and launch initially proved a challenging obstacle for JAXA to overcome. However, as the new organisation grew and became a more efficiently run entity, it demonstrated that it was able to punch well above its weight in the 21st century.[5]
Being a signatory of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, Japan has maintained its narrow focus on the development of civilian technologies and can be described as a paragon of friendly and cooperative space exploration. For example, Japan is the world leader in clearing space debris, a growing concern for the future of space exploration for all of humankind. Japan is also a major player in Asia through helping states develop space programmes from the ground up, as illustrated by its support of Indonesia.[6] Japan also headed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Asia Micro-Satellite Consortium in 2016. This arrangement opened up the sharing of information by 16 different space agencies/universities across nine Asian states.[7]
Beyond diplomatic successes in the realms of space, Japan has also been a major contributor to the furthering of space technology. In 2013, Japan successfully launched the first robotic astronaut, named ‘Kirobo’, to the International Space Station (ISS). Moreover, in March 2014, Koichi Wakata became the first Japanese citizen to take command of the ISS, along with his robotic companion.[8] This demonstrated Japan’s growth in space and robotic technologies. More recently, in 2021, Japan launched the final phase of its Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a regional satellite positioning system which covers large parts of Asia. The QZSS complements the capacity of the US-operated Global Satellite System (GPS).[9] Furthering its cooperation with the US, Japan officially signed on to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis programme which aims to conduct an exploration mission to the moon for the first time since 1973.[10]
Geopolitically, Japan aligns itself with the industrialised world, mainly in accordance to the vision of the US’s NASA. This is illustrated by Japan’s signing on to the US’s Framework Agreement on Space Cooperation in January, 2023.[11] Japan’s space exploration philosophy is also mirrored by US-aligned organisations’ focus on the commercial and civilian utility of space infrastructure for surveillance, communication, environmental protection, and navigational purposes characterised by cooperation – and not individualistic endeavours.[12] A later instalment discussing the geopolitics of the Asian space race will be posted in due course.
A little known caveat of a state’s decision to engage in the development of space exploration technology is that it is very much geographically determined. That is that the actor seeking to launch rockets into the atmosphere needs a site which is as close as possible to the equator. This allows the launched rocket to take advantage of the earth’s rotational speed. Moreover, the location of the launch requires a large section of open sea eastward from its coastline, as rocket technology is still at the point where failed launches are a common occurrence. The sea therefore allows for a safe area of landing for failed rockets.[13]
As it is impossible for all states to be in possession of tracts of land with this description, rocket launches cannot be conducted anywhere. Nevertheless, Japan’s second spaceport, Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), fits all of these requirements as it is situated on the Tanegashima Island in Japan’s southernmost Kagoshima Prefecture. Constructed in 1966, TNSC boasts an impressive 78 orbital launches, being only one of five spacestations to have sent capsules to the ISS.[14] This is not solely due to Japan’s geography, but is a combination of its impressive domestic rocket development programmes (such as the newest H-IIA expendable rocket) as well as its cooperation with other technologically advanced actors, such as the US, India, and the EU. A next SUJC instalment discussing Japan’s space programme will cover Japan’s ambitions to become the fifth state to achieve a soft-landing on the moon.
Notes
[1] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, “Brief History of Japanese Space Research.” 2008. https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/japan_s_history/brief.shtml
[2] University of Tokyo, “Ohsumi, Japan’s first satellite.” n.d. https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_009.html#:~:text=Ohsumi%20is%20Japan’s%20first%20man,L%2D4S%2D5%20rocket.
[3] Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, “Introduction of JAXA.” n.d. https://global.jaxa.jp/about/jaxa/index.html#:~:text=The%20Japan%20Aerospace%20Exploration%20Agency,Agency%20of%20Japan%20(NASDA).
[4] Zeng, K. “Trade Threats, Trade Wars.” 2004. Ann Harbor: University of Michigan Press, p. 127.
[5] Wei, T.M. “Japan’s Space Programme: The Final Frontier.” 2020. EAI Background Brief No. 1560, pp. 3-5.
[6] Ibid, pp. 5-11.
[7] Research Press Release, “Asian Micro-sattelite Consortium agreement effective from Nov. 18.” 2016. Hokkaido University. https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/asian-micro-satellite-consortium-agreement-to-take-effect-on-nov-18/.
[8] Justice, A. “International Space Station robot Kirobo returns to earth and wins Guiness World Records.” 27 March, 2015. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/international-space-station-robot-kirobo-returns-earth-wins-guinness-world-records-1493895.
[9] Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. “Quasi-Zenith Satellite Orbit (QZO).” 2023. https://qzss.go.jp/en/technical/technology/orbit.html.
[10] Office of the Spokesperson. “International Cooperation in NASA’s Artemis I Program.” United States Department of State. November 16, 2022. https://www.state.gov/international-cooperation-in-nasas-artemis-i-program/.
[11] Blinken, A. J. “The United States and Japan Sign Framework Agreement on Space Cooperation.” United States Department of State. January 13, 2023. https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-and-japan-sign-framework-agreement-on-space-cooperation/.
[12] Wei, T.M. “Japan’s Space Programme: The Final Frontier.” 2020. EAI Background Brief No. 1560, p. 9.
[13] Roberts, T. G. “Spaceports of the World.” 2019. Washington: Centre for Strategic and International Studies, p. 8.
[14] Kageyama, Y. 2023. “Japan launches rocket carrying lunar lander and x-ray telescope to discover origins of the universe.” September 6, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/japan-rocket-xray-telescope-lunar-jaxa-launch-dfa35431fc3a693aa2b95ef1cbd54ec6.