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PIERCING THE SKY

PIERCING THE SKY,Domestic rocket H2, H-II rocket, National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Science and Technology, Japan's space program, NASDA, First successful launch of H2=Date:1994, Place:Tanegashima Space Center,Kagoshima,JAPAN

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(1)Japan launches 2 spy satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - An H-2A rocket carrying two spy satellites blasts off from the Tanegashima Space Center off southern Kagoshima Prefecture on March 28. The satellites launched by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will enable the Japanese government to monitor North Korea's missile and nuclear activities.

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(2)Japan launches 2 spy satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - An H-2A rocket carrying two spy satellites rises after blasting off from the Tanegashima Space Center off southern Kagoshima Prefecture on March 28. The satellites launched by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will enable the Japanese government to monitor North Korea's missile and nuclear activities.

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1st Japanese astronaut Mohri shocked by Columbia breakup

TOKYO, Japan - Mamoru Mohri, Japan's first astronaut who flew on U.S. space shuttle Endeavour in 1992, expresses shock during a press conference at the headquarters of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Tokyo on the early morning of Feb. 2 over the breakup of Columbia on Feb. 1.

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(4)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifts off on Dec. 14 from the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The rocket later released into orbit the ADEOS2 satellite, which weighs about 3.7 tons and is the heaviest one ever carried by a Japanese-built rocket.

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(1)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifted off at 10:31 a.m. on Dec. 14 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The rocket successfully launched four satellites.

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(2)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifted off on Dec. 14 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The No.4 unit of the H-2A vehicle released into orbit the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite 2 (ADEOS2) for environmental research, the rocket's main payload on the latest mission, at 10:47 a.m.

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(3)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifted off on Dec. 14 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The 53-meter two-stage rocket measured around 4 meters in diameter.

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Japan's H-2A rocket ready for lift off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket awaits lift off on Dec. 13 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The rocket is scheduled to take off on Dec. 14 and it will launch four satellites.

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Japan's shuttle vehicle unveiled

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned jet-powered vehicle for Japan's own version of a space shuttle is unveiled to the media in the South Pacific republic of Kiribati on Oct. 15. The National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) said the vehicle for an envisioned reusable rocket is expected to undergo a series of high-speed test flights from Oct. 17 at Aeon field on Kiribati's Christmas Island.

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Japan agency unveils data relay satellite for Sept. launch

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) unveils the data relay satellite (DRTS) at the agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27. NASDA plans to carry the data satellite into space by the No. 3 H-2A rocket in September.

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(1)Typhoon Fengshen heading toward Kyushu

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) is washed by high waves July 25 as powerful Typhoon Fengshen, the season's ninth, threatens to hit the main southern island of Kyushu.

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Space shuttle Atlantis to lift off with Noguchi in Jan.

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (in file photo) will be one of seven crew members on the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis to be launched Jan. 16, 2003, the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) announced June 7. The mission to help construct the International Space Station (ISS) was initially scheduled for November, but the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rescheduled the launch date due to a delay in the construction of the ISS.

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Japan launches second H-2A rocket

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's second H-2A rocket lifts off at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 4 from the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, carrying experimental equipment to pave the way for commercial launching of satellites.

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Space reentry experiment device unveiled

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - A space reentry device, called DASH (Demonstrator of Atmospheric reentry System with Hyperbolic Velocity), is unveiled to the media at the National Space Development Agency of Japan's (NASDA) space center in Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture on Dec. 16. DASH will be loaded into Japan's second H-2A rocket to be launched Jan. 31 by the government's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. The device consists of box-shaped storage equipment (fore) and a cylinder-shaped tester (center), which is 40 centimeters wide, 20 cm high and weighs 16 kilograms.

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NASDA appoints Sumino as Japan's 2nd female astronaut

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Sumino, whom the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) appointed as its eighth astronaut, speaks to reporters at NASDA's head office in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Sept 26. Sumino, NASDA's second female astronaut after Chiaki Mukai, will be trained in machinery operation for a mission aboard the International Space Station.

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(2)H-2A rocket lifts off, releases mirror ball into orbit

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Officials of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) celebrate the successful launch of the H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 29.

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H-2A rocket launch put off

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's H-2A rocket stands on the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) on the morning of Aug. 29. NASDA said later the launch of the rocket, originally scheduled at 1 p.m. Aug. 29 has now been rescheduled to 4 p.m. because of a delay in loading fuel.

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3 gov't space agencies to be integrated in 2003

TOKYO, Japan - Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Atsuko Toyama announces the integration of three government-affiliated space agencies at a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 21. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) will be integrated into a new entity by fiscal 2003.

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Orbit verifying device on Japan's 1st H-2A rocket made public

TSUKUBA, Japan - A scientist shows a device that will verify the orbital accuracy of Japan's first H-2A rocket, to be launched late in August, to the media at the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture on July 11.

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2 Japanese astronauts certified as future ISS residents

TOKYO, Japan - Satoshi Furukawa (R), 36, and Hoshide Akihiko (L), 32, smile for photographers at the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Tokyo on Jan. 24 after NASDA official recognized them as astronauts now eligible to take part in the International Space Station (ISS) project. At center is Mamoru Mohri, who participated in U.S. space shuttle missions in 1992 and in 2000.

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NASDA monitoring world's first unmanned rendezvous and docking

Officials at the Tuskuba Space Center in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, are monitoring July 7 rendezvous-docking experiments in orbit. Two Japanese space probes, Orihime and Hikoboshi, prepared by the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) successfully docked over Mexico, marking the world's first unmanned rendezvous and docking in orbit.

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Japan's shuttle vehicle unveiled

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned jet-powered vehicle for Japan's own version of a space shuttle is unveiled to the media in the South Pacific republic of Kiribati on Oct. 15. The National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) said the vehicle for an envisioned reusable rocket is expected to undergo a series of high-speed test flights from Oct. 17 at Aeon field on Kiribati's Christmas Island. (Kyodo)

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Japan test-flies jet vehicle for own shuttle program

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned jet-powered vehicle successfully landed by automatic pilot on a runway on Christmas Island in Kiribati on Oct. 18 after flying on a scheduled path. The National Aeronautical Laboratory and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) flew the vehicle in a test aimed at developing Japan's own version of a space shuttle. The photo was provided by NASDA. (Kyodo)

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(1)Japan launches 2 spy satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - An H-2A rocket carrying two spy satellites blasts off from the Tanegashima Space Center off southern Kagoshima Prefecture on March 28. The satellites launched by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will enable the Japanese government to monitor North Korea's missile and nuclear activities. (Kyodo)

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1st Japanese astronaut Mohri shocked by Columbia breakup

TOKYO, Japan - Mamoru Mohri, Japan's first astronaut who flew on U.S. space shuttle Endeavour in 1992, expresses shock during a press conference at the headquarters of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Tokyo on the early morning of Feb. 2 over the breakup of Columbia on Feb. 1. (Kyodo)

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(CORRECTED)(2)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifted off on Dec. 14 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The No.4 unit of the H-2A vehicle released into orbit the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite 2 (ADEOS2) for environmental research, the rocket's main payload on the latest mission, at 10:47 a.m. (Kyodo)

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(1)Unmanned Japanese Shuttle

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned Japanese space shuttle lands successfully on a runway on Christmas Island in Kiribati on Oct. 18. Japan's National Aeronautical Laboratory and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) flew the vehicle in a test run aimed at developing Japan's own version of a space shuttle. The photo was provided by NASDA. (Kyodo)

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(CORRECTED)(1)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifted off at 10:31 a.m. on Dec. 14 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The rocket successfully launched four satellites. (Kyodo)

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(CORRECTED)(3)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifted off on Dec. 14 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The 53-meter two-stage rocket measured around 4 meters in diameter. (Kyodo)

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Japan launches second H-2A rocket

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's second H-2A rocket lifts off at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 4 from the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, carrying experimental equipment to pave the way for commercial launching of satellites.

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H-2A rocket launch put off 2

Japan's H-2A rocket stands on the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) on the morning of Aug. 29. NASDA said later the launch of the rocket, originally scheduled at 1 p.m. Aug. 29 has now been rescheduled to 4 p.m. because of a delay in loading fuel.

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(1)Typhoon Fengshen heading toward Kyushu

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) is washed by high waves July 25 as powerful Typhoon Fengshen, the season's ninth, threatens to hit the main southern island of Kyushu.

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(2)H-2A rocket lifts off, releases mirror ball into orbit

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Officials of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) celebrate the successful launch of the H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 29.

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(2)Japan launches 2 spy satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - An H-2A rocket carrying two spy satellites rises after blasting off from the Tanegashima Space Center off southern Kagoshima Prefecture on March 28. The satellites launched by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will enable the Japanese government to monitor North Korea's missile and nuclear activities. (Kyodo)

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(CORRECTED)(4)Japan's H-2A rocket lifts off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket lifts off on Dec. 14 from the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The rocket later released into orbit the ADEOS2 satellite, which weighs about 3.7 tons and is the heaviest one ever carried by a Japanese-built rocket. (Kyodo)

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Japan's H-2A rocket ready for lift off with 4 satellites

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's fourth H-2A rocket awaits lift off on Dec. 13 at the Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The rocket is scheduled to take off on Dec. 14 and it will launch four satellites. (Kyodo)

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(2) Unmanned Japanese Shuttle

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned Japanese space shuttle lands successfully on a runway on Christmas Island in Kiribati on Oct. 18. Japan's National Aeronautical Laboratory and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) flew the vehicle in a test run aimed at developing Japan's own version of a space shuttle. The photo was provided by NASDA. (Kyodo)

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Japan agency unveils data relay satellite for Sept. launch

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) unveils the data relay satellite (DRTS) at the agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27. NASDA plans to carry the data satellite into space by the No. 3 H-2A rocket in September.

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Space shuttle Atlantis to lift off with Noguchi in Jan.

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (in file photo) will be one of seven crew members on the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis to be launched Jan. 16, 2003, the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) announced June 7. The mission to help construct the International Space Station (ISS) was initially scheduled for November, but the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rescheduled the launch date due to a delay in the construction of the ISS.

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NASDA appoints Sumino as Japan's 2nd female astronaut

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Sumino, whom the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) appointed as its eighth astronaut, speaks to reporters at NASDA's head office in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Sept 26. Sumino, NASDA's second female astronaut after Chiaki Mukai, will be trained in machinery operation for a mission aboard the International Space Station.

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H-2A rocket launch put off

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Japan's H-2A rocket stands on the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) on the morning of Aug. 29. NASDA said later the launch of the rocket, originally scheduled at 1 p.m. Aug. 29 has now been rescheduled to 4 p.m. because of a delay in loading fuel.

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3 gov't space agencies to be integrated in 2003

TOKYO, Japan - Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Atsuko Toyama announces the integration of three government-affiliated space agencies at a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 21. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) will be integrated into a new entity by fiscal 2003.

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2 Japanese astronauts certified as future ISS residents

TOKYO, Japan - Satoshi Furukawa (R), 36, and Hoshide Akihiko (L), 32, smile for photographers at the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in Tokyo on Jan. 24 after NASDA official recognized them as astronauts now eligible to take part in the International Space Station (ISS) project. At center is Mamoru Mohri, who participated in U.S. space shuttle missions in 1992 and in 2000.

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images taken from space shuttle released

TOKYO, Japan - This is a photo of Mt. Fuji taken from space shuttle Endeavour in February. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly released Feb. 28 photos taken by Japanese astronaut Mamoru Mohri. The still images were taken from footage taken by Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK)'s high-definition camera.

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Wreckage of 1st-stage main engines of H-2 rocket salvaged

TOKYO, Japan - The wreckage of the first-stage main engine of the H-2 rocket that crashed into the Pacific shortly after launch in November, is salvaged from the seabed off Ogasawara Islands on Jan. 23. The photo is through the courtesy of the National Development Agency of Japan (NASDA).

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NASDA monitoring world's first u

Officials at the Tuskuba Space Center in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, are monitoring July 7 rendezvous-docking experiments in orbit. Two Japanese space probes, Orihime and Hikoboshi, prepared by the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) successfully docked over Mexico, marking the world's first unmanned rendezvous and docking in orbit. ==Kyodo