JAXA and Japanese space programs

[Sandhi Yudha]

A very remarkable project.
Japan plans a 2023 launch of the world's first satellite made out of wood.

Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first.

www.bbc.com

 

[John Fedup]

A very remarkable project.
Japan plans a 2023 launch of the world's first satellite made out of wood.

Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first.

www.bbc.com

Awesome solution if something can be developed with organic materials like wood.

A very remarkable project.
Japan plans a 2023 launch of the world's first satellite made out of wood.

Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first.

www.bbc.com

Wood debris in space travelling at 15-20k mph doesn’t address the high speed collision dangers and likely does little about reflection screwing with earth based telescope image acquisition. Wasn’t aware about the alumina contamination issue in the upper atmosphere.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Today 2021-03-22, the ELSA-d was launched from Baikonur. The ELSA-d is a spacecraft from the Japanese Astroscale, headquartered in Tokyo, and it is created to demonstrate how to handle with space debris.

Space debris removal demonstration launches

A mission will aim to showcase methods for keeping space activity sustainable.

www.bbc.com

 

[John Fedup]

Today 2021-03-22, the ELSA-d was launched from Baikonur. The ELSA-d is a spacecraft from the Japanese Astroscale, headquartered in Tokyo, and it is created to demonstrate how to handle with space debris.

Space debris removal demonstration launches

A mission will aim to showcase methods for keeping space activity sustainable.

www.bbc.com

A good idea and important for future space operations. I wonder about the relative ratio of magnetic/non-magnetic junk up there?

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

An engine being developed for use in the Epsilon S small rocket went up in flames Tuesday during a combustion test at a facility in southwestern Japan. The Epsilon S is an upgraded version of the normal/current Epsilon.

JAXA also uses the H-IIA rockets as medium lift launch vehicles.

Japan's space agency aborts Epsilon S rocket test after fire

The cause of the large fire is being investigated. The incident is the latest in a string of setbacks for Japan's space program.

www.dw.com

Grote rookwolk te zien bij rakettest in Japan

Bij een rakettest in het zuiden van Japan is brand uitgebroken. Volgens het Japanse ruimtevaartprogramma JAXA was er sprake van een 'abnormaliteit' tijdens de test. Er zijn geen gewonden.

www.rtl.nl

Japan rocket engine explodes during test, 2nd time in 16 months

An engine being developed for use in the Epsilon S small rocket exploded Tuesday during a combustion test at a facility in southwestern Japan, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said, the second such incident in 16 months.

english.kyodonews.net

Last year something similar happened.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

A very remarkable project.
Japan plans a 2023 launch of the world's first satellite made out of wood.

Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first.

www.bbc.com

Update about the Worlds' first wooden satellite created by Sumitomo Forestry and Kyoto University.

Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry unveil world’s first wooden satellite

LignoSat is developed with the aim of combating space clutter and promoting more environmentally friendly space activity.

www.japantimes.co.jp

It also has a name now: Lignosat.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-developed-japan-heads-space-2024-11-05/

 

[Salinger]

Honda’s hopper

Honda 本田技研工業 on Instagram: "#Honda succeeds in launch and landing test of experimental reusable #rocket! Today, Honda R&D conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda, successfully landing the rocket after reaching an altitude of 300 meters. With this success, Honda has taken a step forward in its research phase of reusable rockets! Honda will continue to pursue new value creation in space, the ultimate environment. 再使用型 #ロケット 実験機の離着陸実験に成功 本日、自社開発の再使用型ロケットの実験機を用いて、Honda初となる高度300mまでの離着陸実験を行いました。 今回の成功により、再使用型ロケットの研究段階を一歩進めることができました！ これからも、宇宙という究極の環境での新たな価値創造を目指して挑戦を続けていきます。 #ホンダ #SpaceTechnologies"

26K likes, 644 comments - hondajp on June 17, 2025: "#Honda succeeds in launch and landing test of experimental reusable #rocket! Today, Honda R&D conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda, successfully landing the rocket after...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Honda’s hopper
View attachment 53053

Honda 本田技研工業 on Instagram: "#Honda succeeds in launch and landing test of experimental reusable #rocket! Today, Honda R&D conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda, successfully landing the rocket after reaching an altitude of 300 meters. With this success, Honda has taken a step forward in its research phase of reusable rockets! Honda will continue to pursue new value creation in space, the ultimate environment. 再使用型 #ロケット 実験機の離着陸実験に成功 本日、自社開発の再使用型ロケットの実験機を用いて、Honda初となる高度300mまでの離着陸実験を行いました。 今回の成功により、再使用型ロケットの研究段階を一歩進めることができました！ これからも、宇宙という究極の環境での新たな価値創造を目指して挑戦を続けていきます。 #ホンダ #SpaceTechnologies"

26K likes, 644 comments - hondajp on June 17, 2025: "#Honda succeeds in launch and landing test of experimental reusable #rocket! Today, Honda R&D conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda, successfully landing the rocket after...

www.instagram.com

Thank you for sharing, it is impressive that Honde developed this independently. Also the way the landing legs/struts extend is different with the rockets from Space X.
Here is a video from Honda's Youtube channel.

 

[Salinger]

H3 Rocket Launches HTV-X

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft has entered the arrival phase with the separation of the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) from the spacecraft stack on 3 September 2026. The composite spacecraft will enter orbit around Mercury on 21 November 2026, and MPO and Mio will separate from each other on 9–10 December 2026. The mission’s science phase is set to begin in April 2027.
https://youtube.com/shorts/LbQ46zVgKtA?si=FCvkZu0HCVeh56rK

More details at Latest updates: BepiColombo's arrival at Mercury