During the 20th century, the three agencies mentioned above were established. The ISAS was responsible for space and planetary research, NAL was focused on aviation research, and NASDA developed rocket launchers satellites and the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station.
Research Centers and Offices
JAXA has research centers in many locations in Japan, and some offices overseas.
Noshiro Testing Center (NTC) - Established in 1962. It carries out development and testing of rocket engines.
Sanriku Balloon Center (SBC) - Balloons launched from this site since 1971.
Kakuda Space Propulsion Center (KSPC) - Leads the development of rocket engines. Works mainly with development of liquid fuel engines.
Sagamihara Campus - Development of experimental equipment for rockets and satellites. Also administrative buildings.
Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) - The center of Japan's space network. Involved in research and development of satellites and rockets, and tracking and controlling of satellites. Develops experimental equipment for the Japanese Experiment Module ("Kibo"). Also training of astronauts takes place here.
JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003 through the merger of three previously independent organizations.
JAXA is responsible for research, development and launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many missions such as asteroid exploration and a possible manned mission to the moon.
As JAXA shifted away from international efforts beginning in 2005, plans are developing for independent space missions, such as a proposed manned mission to the moon.
JAXA planned two quick landings on the asteroid for Falcon to grab samples of fine dust.
One was to have been on a middle area of the asteroid that JAXA had named MUSES-Sea and the other from a broad, flat surface area at the tip of the asteroid that JAXA called Woomera Desert.
JAXA reported Falcon had closed to within about 2,000 feet of the huge space rock when the landing operation was called off.
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