Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency April 2014 No. 08 ins pk o H M ke ik i ha M i l Ty u r in o i h c c a r O t s l a e g M K d r o t a o h v c i R K o i c h i y W k s a n k a a z t a a y R y e g r e S “Hearts in Harmony” Astronaut Koichi Wakata emphasizes the importance of teamwork on ISS long-duration missions JAXA TODAY vol8.indd c1 2014/03/24 17:34 Contents No. 08 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 1−5 Epsilon Launch Vehicle Ushers in a New Era for Space Development Welcome to JAXA TODAY On September 14, 2013, Epsilon-1 was The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) works to realize its successfully launched, realizing a simplifi ed launch system for solid-fuel rockets. Epsilon vision of contributing to a safe and prosperous society through the Rocket Project Manager Professor Yasuhiro pursuit of research and development in the aerospace fi eld to deepen Morita discusses the innovative nature and importance of this new rocket and system. humankind’s understanding of the universe. JAXA’s activities cover a broad spectrum of the space and aeronautical fi elds, including satellite 6-7 development and operation, astronomical observation, planetary ex- Our First 10 Years—All of Japan ploration, participation in the International Space Station (ISS) project Becomes a Part of JAXA and the development of new rockets and next-generation aeronautical Three space-related organizations merged in technology. 2003 to form JAXA. We recall the highlights of JAXA’s fi rst decade, which included such With the aim of disseminating information about JAXA’s activities milestones as the Hayabusa sample-return and recent news relating to Japan’s space development programs and long-duration missions aboard the ISS. to as wide an audience as possible, we launched JAXA TODAY in 8−12 January 2010. Koichi Wakata—Japan’s First ISS Commander In March 2014, JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata Message from the President became Japan’s fi rst ISS Commander. We JAXA celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 1, look at the path that led to his taking up this role, and explain the duties it entails. 2013. During its fi rst decade, JAXA has logged many world-fi rst achievements that have received wide praise 13 internationally. These include the successful test launch Liaison Diary: Russia of the Epsilon Launch Vehicle, and the sample-return The JAXA Moscow Offi ce was established by asteroid explorer Hayabusa. These successes have in 2011, and the second offi ce director has helped bolster Japan’s research and development recently taken up his new post. The fi rst offi ce director looks back on his impressions capabilities and national strength, while also driving of the space development scene in Russia. space development around the world. 14−15 JAXA has now entered a fresh stage in its organiza- tional development, and to coincide with this milestone View from the Editor’s Window: has redefi ned its management philosophy as working “To realize a safe and affl u- Bringing Space Meals to You ent society using space and the sky.” We have also introduced a new corporate We adapt Japanese space food—designed slogan—“Explore to Realize.” for astronauts serving long-duration missions aboard the ISS—to serve in an original way To guide our activities as we strive to translate this management philosophy here on Earth. Let’s see how it tasted. into tangible results, we have formulated an Action Declaration, comprising three parts. We will: 16–17 1. Aim to improve people’s daily lives, and contribute to the enjoyment of those JAXA’s Frontier lives. A roundup of JAXA’s recent activities 2. Constantly strive for greater heights, and aspire toward creativity. 3. Work to meet the trust and expectations placed on us by society by acting with responsibility and pride. This declaration highlights our commitment as an organization to pioneering a new To All Our Readers era in space development. In fi scal 2014, which commenced on April 1, 2014, we will focus particularly Hello, my name is Koji Terada, and I am Director on the development of a new main rocket, as well as an array of satellite missions of the JAXA Public Affairs Department and that will serve many important roles. In these endeavors, we look forward to your executive editor of JAXA TODAY. Coinciding with the start of a new stage in JAXA’s history, continued support and cooperation. JAXA TODAY returns with even greater momentum. In articles covering JAXA activities, we have Dr. Naoki Okumura special features on JAXA Astronaut Koichi Received a Doctorate in Applied Physics from The University of Tokyo in 1973. Served Wakata, the fi rst ISS Commander from Asia, as Representative Director and Executive Vice President of Nippon Steel Corporation and the Epsilon Launch Vehicle, which uses the world’s fi rst mobile launch control system. and executive member of Japan’s Council for Science and Technology Policy. Appointed In addition, in response to requests from our President of JAXA in April 2013. readers, we have included pages for children at the end of each feature article with text in both English and Japanese. To help make space even more familiar, our editorial staff will introduce topics under a new Cover Photograph regular column called “View from the Editor’s Window.” We also begin a new column called ISS Expedition 38 Long-Duration Crew “Liaison Diary” covering the activities of JAXA’s From bottom-right, clockwise: Koichi Wakata, Sergey Ryazansky, overseas offi ces. In this fi rst installment, we Richard Mastracchio, Mike Hopkins, Mikhail Tyurin and Oleg Kotov. introduce the JAXA Moscow Offi ce. (© JAXA/NASA) We hope you enjoy the newly reborn JAXA TODAY. JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata became Japan’s fi rst ISS Commander when Expedition 39 began on March 9, 2014. JAXA TODAY vol8.indd c2 2014/03/24 17:34 Epsilon Launch Vehicle Ushers in a New Era for Space Development TThehe EEpsilonpsilon LLaunchaunch VVehicle—JAXA’sehicle—JAXA’s nnewew ssolid-propellantolid-propellant rrocket—ocket— rrealizesealizes ssimplifiimplifi eedd aandnd sstreamlinedtreamlined llaunchaunch pprocedures,rocedures, aandnd oopenspens uupp tthehe wwayay fforor a ffurtherurther eexpansionxpansion ooff sspacepace ddevelopmentevelopment aandnd sspacepace uutilization.tilization. OOnn SSeptembereptember 114,4, 22013,013, tthehe fi rrstst EEpsilonpsilon LLaunchaunch VVehicle—Epsilon-1—achievedehicle—Epsilon-1—achieved a ssuccessfuluccessful llaunchaunch aandnd sseparationeparation ooff iitsts ppayload,ayload, tthehe uultravioletltraviolet aastronomystronomy ssatelliteatellite SSPRINT-APRINT-A ((JapaneseJapanese nnickname:ickname: ““HISAKI”).HISAKI”). IInn tthishis iinterview,nterview, EEpsilonpsilon RRocketocket PProjectroject MManageranager PProfessorrofessor YYasuhiroasuhiro MMoritaorita eelucidateslucidates tthehe iinnovativennovative nnatureature ooff tthehe EEpsilonpsilon LLaunchaunch VVehicle.ehicle. OOnn ppageage 55,, wwee pproviderovide aann eexplanationxplanation fforor cchildrenhildren oonn tthehe EEpsilonpsilon kkeyey ppointsoints iinn bbothoth EEnglishnglish aandnd JJapanese.apanese. Profi le Epsilon-1 lifts off from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Professor Yasuhiro Morita, Ph.D. Prefecture, on September 14, 2013 Project Manager, Epsilon Rocket Project Team Professor, Department of Space Systems and Astronautics Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), JAXA Professor Morita graduated from the Department of Aeronautics, The University of Tokyo, and received his doctorate in aeronautics from the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. At ISAS, he was appointed Project Manager of the M-V rocket program in 2003, and has fulfi lled a key leadership role in Japan’s solid-fuel rocket development efforts as the Epsilon Rocket Project Manager since 2010. 1 JAXA TODAY vol8.indd 1 2014/03/24 17:34 JAXA TODAY No. 08 Theme 1 Continuing Japan’s Tradition of Solid Rocket Development What was your primary goal at the development stage? Morita: Our main objective was to create an innova- tive launch system. Previously, it was suffi cient to improve the performance of the launch vehicle itself. That was the overriding consideration. However, if we look at a 50-year horizon for space development, improving rocket performance alone is not enough. What we have to do is design a system that makes it easier to put launch vehicles into space. It is impera- tive that we shift away from the current paradigm— one that is based on having a large workforce spend a lot of time and money, using a large array of equip- ment to get a rocket launched. The key feature of the Epsilon development project was our decision What was the background leading up to the development to create a simplifi ed launch system. We might say of the Epsilon Launch Vehicle? that global rocket-development history has reached a turning point. Morita: In 2006, further development of the M-V Launch Vehicle program was called off owing to a On the day of the Epsilon-1 launch, a large number of range of factors. The M-V boasted performance at the people gathered near the launch site to offer their support. world’s highest level for a multi-stage solid-propellant Did you see the scene yourself? rocket. Subsequently, in 2010 the decision was made to embark on the development of Epsilon as a new Morita: I saw footage of the crowd gathered to watch solid-fuel launch vehicle. I was appointed Project the launch shot by the television crew following me. I Manager. The fi rst key question we faced was, “How was surprised at just how dramatic the scene was. By do we build a rocket that surpasses the M-V, which the time of the launch, many local people from the was considered to be the world’s most advanced in town of Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, as well its fi eld?” The entire Epsilon team agreed that we did as a large number of space enthusiasts had gathered.