JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is a Japanese national aerospace and space research organization. Its headquarters are in Tokyo, and it has multiple field offices and research centers across the country. JAXA was formed in 2003 from the merger of three pre-existing agencies: the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL). JAXA conducts research in all aspects of aerospace, including aeronautics, planetary exploration, astronomy, atmospheric science, materials science, space applications, and rocket technology. The agency also offers educational programs to promote public understanding of space science and technology.
JAXA’s launch vehicles include the H-IIA and H-IIB rockets, which are used to place satellites into orbit; the Epsilon rocket for small payloads; sounding rockets for upper atmospheric research; balloons for high altitude observations; and experimental aircraft. JAXA’s main satellite series are GCOM (Global Change Observation Mission), Kibo (the Japanese Experiment Module on the International Space Station), Hayabusa (asteroid sample return mission), ALOS/PALSAR (advanced land observation satellite), Hinode (Solar Physics Observatory) ,and Akari (infrared astronomical satellite). JAXA is also responsible for developing Japan’s human spaceflight capability. In 2010, astronaut Naoko Yamazaki became the first Japanese woman to fly in space aboard a Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. As of 2016, four more Japanese astronauts have flown on Soyuz missions. In addition to its own launches, JAXA makes use of international launch services providers such as Arianespace or United Launch Alliance .
As an international leader in space science and technology ,JAXA collaborates with NASA ,the European Space Agency(ESA) ,and other organizations around the world .In 2015 ,for example ,JAXA launched a joint ESA /NASA mission called Solar Orbiter to study our sun .And in 2016 ,a collaborative effort between JAXA ,NASA ,and ESA resulted in successful deployment of two CubeSats from ISS that will conduct studies related to Earth’s magnetic field .