RAPIS-1 & others

Mission

RAPIS-1 & others

Type: Dedicated Rideshare

A rideshare mission to launch experimental microsats and cubesats. Main payload is RAPIS-1 (RAPid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite 1), which will test several new technologies in space.

Location

Mu Center

Uchinoura Space Center, Japan

6 rockets have launched from Uchinoura Space Center, Japan.

Rocket

Epsilon

Length: 24.4 meters
Diameter: 2.5 meters
First Launch: September 14, 2013

The Epsilon rocket is a Japanese solid-fuel rocket designed to launch scientific satellites. It is a follow-on project to the larger and more expensive M-V rocket which was retired in 2006. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) began developing the Epsilon in 2007. It is capable of placing a 590 kg payload into Sun-synchronous orbit.

The Epsilon rocket has been launched a total of 4 times with 4 successful and 0 failed launches.

Agency

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Type: Government
Abbreviation: JAXA
Administration: Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa
Founded: 2003
Launchers: H-II

Country: JPN

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan’s national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.