Latest news with #JAXA
The Star
3 days ago
- Science
- The Star
QuickCheck: Is there a planet in our solar system that spins the wrong way?
The planet Venus is the second planet from the sun and is almost equal in size and mass with our planet, Earth. - pix by JAXA/ISAS/DARTS/Kevin M. Gill (CC BY 2.0) PETALING JAYA: The sun rises from the east, and sets in the west - this is a well-established fact for the longest time, and this is due to Earth's rotation, which is moving from west to east on its rotation. While planets in our solar system move one way, is it true that there's a planet moving in the opposite direction? Verdict: TRUE While the other planets are rotating in the same direction, only one planet is going against the flow - and that is Venus. The second planet from the sun, has a retrograde motion - which means that the orbital or rotational motion of Venus is going in the opposite direction on its axis. The initial theory of why Venus does this is that it initially spun in the same direction as most other planets and it simply flipped its axis 180 degrees at some point. Scientists have argued that the sun's gravitational pull on the planet's very dense atmosphere could have caused strong atmospheric tides. However, in 2000, a team of scientists from the French research institute Astronomie et Systemes Dynamiques proposed a new explanation. Scientists Alexandre Correira and Jacques Laskar suggested that Venus may not have flipped at all. According to the report published in Nature, they propose instead that its rotation slowed to a standstill and then reversed direction. Taking into account the factors mentioned above, as well as tidal effects from other planets, the team concluded that Venus's axis could have shifted to a variety of positions throughout the planet's evolution. Another theory is that Venus, also known as Earth's twin planet, could have been hit by a giant asteroid, leaving it spinning the other way. While large asteroids have hit Earth during its history (one of the theories as to how the Moon formed), it seems like a plausible idea that, during the early stages of the Solar System, Venus could have been hit by a celestial object that is similar in size to itself causing it to spin backwards. If this collision also altered Venus' orbit, the presence of the Sun, Mercury and Earth in this solar system would have pulled its orbit back to its original position. Another fun fact is that because of Venus' slow rotation, one Venus day is about 243 Earth days or close to eight Earth months. With this trivia, have a good (Earth) day. References: 1. science/venus-spins-backwards 2. article/why-venus-spins-the- wrong/
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
More Commercial Launches a Must for H2a Rocket's Successor; Mitsubishi Heavy, JAXA Aim to Halve Launch Cost with H3
The H2A rocket, which was retired on Sunday after the model's 50th launch, delivered many satellites vital for scientific research and Japan's social infrastructure into space. However, it failed to win enough orders for commercial launches, a problem that has been passed on to its successor, the H3. 'Over the past 24 years, [the H2A] has made a significant contribution to the autonomy of Japan's space activities through a steady stream of launches,' said Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), at a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. The H2A launched more than 70 satellites and other objects into space, serving as the backbone of Japan's space transportation. However, there was an average of only two launches a year, and most depended on 'public demand' for government satellites. There were only orders for commercial launches for five satellites belonging to foreign countries, such as South Korea and the United Kingdom. The launch fee was expensive, reaching as high as ¥10 billion. For Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., which took over the manufacture and operation of the H2A from JAXA in 2007, winning commercial orders has been a longstanding issue. The H3 was jointly developed by MHI and JAXA with the aim of halving the launch fee. 'We would like to receive as many orders for launches from overseas and domestic companies as government missions,' said Iwao Igarashi, senior general manager of the company's Space Systems Division. Demand for launches is rising as the space business expands. According to the Cabinet Office, 253 rockets were successfully launched worldwide in 2024, 2.75 times more than 10 years ago. Japan launched a total of five H2A and H3 rockets that year, compared to 153 in the United States and 66 in China. In particular, the U.S. company SpaceX, which has developed a rocket where the first stage can be reused, dominates the market with about 130 launches a year. 'If we cannot win the competition in the market, we will not be able to maintain the [domestic] industry, and there will be no companies or personnel to manufacture rockets. Our current technology will one day become obsolete, so it is essential to develop a rocket to succeed the H3,' said Hiroaki Akiyama, professor of space policy at Wakayama University.
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Science
- Japan Forward
H2A Rocket Retires, Capping 25 Years of Excellence
このページを 日本語 で読む Japan's flagship heavy-lift rocket, the H2A, concluded its distinguished career with the successful launch of its 50th and final mission at 1:33 AM on June 29 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. Roughly 16 minutes after liftoff, the rocket deployed the national Earth observation satellite Ibuki-GW into its designated orbit. It marked a flawless end to the H2A's service. Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the H2A first entered operation in 2001. Over its 24-year run, it recorded 49 successes out of 50 launches, achieving a world-class cumulative success rate of 98.0%. With this final flight, the H2A officially retires. It now hands over its role as Japan's primary launch vehicle to the next-generation H3 rocket, which debuted in 2023. The H2A is a two-stage, liquid-fuel launch vehicle measuring approximately 53 meters in length and 4 meters in diameter. Serving as Japan's primary national rocket, it has been entrusted with critical missions, particularly in the field of national security. Throughout its operational life, the H2A completed 50 launches, carrying a diverse range of payloads into space. These included Hayabusa2, which famously returned rock samples from the asteroid Ryugu, SLIM, Japan's first successful lunar lander, and a series of intelligence-gathering satellites for government use. Its early performance was strong, with the first five launches completed without incident. However, in November 2003, the sixth mission ended in failure after a solid rocket booster failed to separate at high altitude. That problem forced ground control to issue a self-destruct command. The failure deeply shook the development team, prompting an exhaustive investigation into its cause. Engineers implemented comprehensive countermeasures, overhauling not just the faulty booster system but the rocket's overall design. They worked relentlessly — through holidays and overnight shifts — to make the necessary improvements. Their dedication paid off with the successful launch of the seventh unit in 2005. From that point forward, the H2A maintained a perfect record, ultimately achieving a remarkable cumulative success rate of 98.0%. Beyond reliability, the rocket also delivered exceptional punctuality. Excluding delays caused by weather, it achieved an on-time launch rate of 82.0%, one of the highest in the world, meaning that most missions lifted off precisely as scheduled without mechanical issues. H2A Launch Vehicle No. 50 being launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, June 29. This outstanding track record allowed the H2A to serve as a pillar of Japan's space program for 25 years. Through disciplined engineering and a culture of continuous improvement, Japan's space industry turned early setbacks into a technological triumph, producing a rocket now regarded as a benchmark of precision and reliability. With 50 launches over a span of 25 years, the H2A holds the longest service record in the history of Japanese rocket development. Its longevity was made possible by its exceptional reliability. Heavy-lift rockets carry satellites and probes that often cost billions, or even hundreds of billions of yen (several billions of US dollars). Such valuable payloads demand a launch vehicle with a proven, consistent track record, which the H2A delivered. Even so, its operational run is coming to a close amid intensifying global competition. Each launch cost approximately ¥10 billion JPY ($63 million USD) — half the price of its predecessor, the H2. However, that was still nearly twice as expensive as competing rockets from abroad. Considering that the H2A was designed more than 25 years ago, its relatively high cost is understandable. However, in today's increasingly competitive space industry, reliability alone is no longer enough. To remain viable in the global launch market, Japan has shifted to the H3 rocket, an evolution of the H2A that retains its trusted reliability while incorporating modern technologies to reduce launch costs to around ¥5 billion ($31.5 million). Over its long career, the H2A showcased Japan's engineering excellence and earned a global reputation for precision and dependability. That legacy now serves as a foundation for the H3, positioning it to secure launch contracts both at home and abroad. Although its service has ended, the H2A leaves behind a profound and lasting impact. It is an enduring symbol of Japan's technological capability and space ambitions. Author: Juichiro Ito, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Japan launches third rocket to measure climate change
June 29 (UPI) -- A Japanese company has launched a rocket designed to monitor sea temperature and greenhouse gases as part of its overall mission to study the effects of climate change on the atmosphere. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Companylaunched its 50th and final H-2A rocket mission, sending the GOSAT-GW into orbit from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Sunday. This is the third GOSAT mission to study the effects of climate change on ocean temperatures and fossil fuel and other greenhouse gases and their effect on the planet's ecosystems. The Sunday mission joins the previous flights already in orbit, GCOM-W2, which launched in 2012, known as "SHIZIKU," and GOSAT-1, known as "IBUKI," which was deployed in 2009. Among other instruments, GOSAT-GW is carrying a spectrometer named TANSO to aid in measuring the effects of greenhouse-related climate change. "The obtained data will be used to monitor water vapor profiles, sea ice, and soil water content," the GOSAT website said. Other instruments will monitor sunlight reflection during daylight hours and target and other large emission sources such as power loans and oil and gas facilities.
Asahi Shimbun
4 days ago
- Science
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan launches a climate change monitoring satellite on mainstay H2A rocket's last flight
Japan on Sunday successfully launched a climate change monitoring satellite on its mainstay H-2A rocket, which made its final flight before it is replaced by a new flagship model designed to be more cost competitive in the global space market. The H-2A rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, carrying the GOSAT-GW satellite as part of Tokyo's effort to mitigate climate change. The satellite was safely separated from the rocket and released into a planned orbit about 16 minutes later. Scientists and space officials at the control room exchanged hugs and handshakes to celebrate the successful launch, which was delayed by several days due to a malfunctioning of the rocket's electrical systems. Keiji Suzuki, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries official in charge of rocket launch operations, said he was more nervous than ever for the final mission of the rocket, which has been his career work. 'I've spent my entire life at work not to drop H-2A rocket ... All I can say is I'm so relieved." Sunday's launch marked the 50th and final flight for the H-2A, which has served as Japan's mainstay rocket to carry satellites and probes into space with a near-perfect record since its 2001 debut. After its retirement, it will be fully replaced by the H3, which is already in operation, as Japan's new main flagship. 'It is a deeply emotional moment for all of us at JAXA as a developer,' Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, told a news conference. The GOSAT-GW, or Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle, is a third series in the mission to monitor carbon, methane and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Within one year, it will start distributing data such as sea surface temperature and precipitation with much higher resolution to users around the world, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, officials said. The liquid-fuel H-2A rocket with two solid-fuel sub-rockets developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has so far had 49 flights with a 98% success record, with only one failure in 2003. Mitsubishi Heavy has provided its launch operation since 2007. H-2A successfully carried into space many satellites and probes, including Japan's moon lander SLIM last year, and a popular Hayabusa2 spacecraft in 2014 to reach a distant asteroid, contributing to the country's space programs. The completion of H-2A lets him put more resources into further development of the H3, Suzuki said. Japan sees a stable, commercially competitive space transport capability as key to its space program and national security, and has been developing two new flagship rockets as successors of the H-2A series — the larger H3 with Mitsubishi, and a much smaller Epsilon system with the aerospace unit of the heavy machinery maker IHI. It hopes to cater to diverse customer needs and improve its position in the growing satellite launch market. The H3, is designed to carry larger payloads than the H-2A at about half its launch cost to be globally competitive, though officials say more cost reduction efforts are needed to achieve better price competitiveness in the global market. The H3 has made four consecutive successful flights after a failed debut attempt in 2023, when the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload.
