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 Contents No. 08 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 1−5 Epsilon Launch Vehicle Ushers in a Welcome to JAXA TODAY New Era for Space Development 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 Epsilon Launch Vehicle 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 Ushers in a New Era for 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. Space Development 14−15 JAXA has now entered a fresh stage in its organiza- tional development, and to coincide with this milestone TThehe EEpsilonpsilon LLaunchaunch VVehicle—JAXA’sehicle—JAXA’s nnewew ssolid-propellantolid-propellant rrocket—ocket— View from the Editor’s Window: has redefi ned its management philosophy as working “To realize a safe and affl u- rrealizesealizes ssimplifiimplifi eedd aandnd sstreamlinedtreamlined llaunchaunch pprocedures,rocedures, aandnd oopenspens Bringing Space Meals to You ent society using space and the sky.” We have also introduced a new corporate uupp tthehe wwayay fforor a ffurtherurther eexpansionxpansion ooff sspacepace ddevelopmentevelopment aandnd We adapt Japanese space food—designed slogan—“Explore to Realize.” for astronauts serving long-duration missions sspacepace uutilization.tilization. OOnn SSeptembereptember 114,4, 22013,013, tthehe fi rrstst EEpsilonpsilon To guide our activities as we strive to translate this management philosophy aboard the ISS—to serve in an original way LLaunchaunch VVehicle—Epsilon-1—achievedehicle—Epsilon-1—achieved a ssuccessfuluccessful llaunchaunch aandnd here on Earth. Let’s see how it tasted. into tangible results, we have formulated an Action Declaration, comprising three parts. We will: sseparationeparation ooff iitsts ppayload,ayload, tthehe uultravioletltraviolet aastronomystronomy ssatelliteatellite 16–17 1. Aim to improve people’s daily lives, and contribute to the enjoyment of those SSPRINT-APRINT-A ((JapaneseJapanese nnickname:ickname: ““HISAKI”).HISAKI”). IInn tthishis iinterview,nterview, JAXA’s Frontier lives. EEpsilonpsilon RRocketocket PProjectroject MManageranager PProfessorrofessor YYasuhiroasuhiro MMoritaorita A roundup of JAXA’s recent activities 2. Constantly strive for greater heights, and aspire toward creativity. eelucidateslucidates tthehe iinnovativennovative nnatureature ooff tthehe EEpsilonpsilon LLaunchaunch 3. Work to meet the trust and expectations placed on us by society by acting with VVehicle.ehicle. OOnn ppageage 55,, wwee pproviderovide aann eexplanationxplanation fforor responsibility and pride. cchildrenhildren oonn tthehe EEpsilonpsilon kkeyey ppointsoints iinn bbothoth EEnglishnglish This declaration highlights our commitment as an organization to pioneering a new To All Our Readers era in space development. aandnd JJapanese.apanese. 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 Profi le Wakata, the fi rst ISS Commander from Asia, as Representative Director and Executive Vice President of Nippon Steel Corporation Epsilon-1 lifts off from the Uchinoura and the Epsilon Launch Vehicle, which uses the and executive member of Japan’s Council for Science and Technology Policy. Appointed Space Center, in Kimotsuki, Kagoshima world’s fi rst mobile launch control system. Professor Yasuhiro Morita, Ph.D. Prefecture, on September 14, 2013 In addition, in response to requests from our President of JAXA in April 2013. readers, we have included pages for children at Project Manager, Epsilon Rocket Project Team the end of each feature article with text in both Professor, Department of Space Systems and Astronautics English and Japanese. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), JAXA To help make space even more familiar, our editorial staff will introduce topics under a new Cover Photograph Professor Morita graduated from the Department of Aeronautics, The regular column called “View from the Editor’s University of Tokyo, and received his doctorate in aeronautics from the Window.” We also begin a new column called ISS Expedition 38 Long-Duration Crew Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. At ISAS, he was “Liaison Diary” covering the activities of JAXA’s From bottom-right, clockwise: Koichi Wakata, Sergey Ryazansky, appointed Project Manager of the M-V rocket program in 2003, and has 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) fulfi lled a key leadership role in Japan’s solid-fuel rocket development efforts We hope you enjoy the newly reborn as the Epsilon Rocket Project Manager since 2010. JAXA TODAY. JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata became Japan’s fi rst ISS Commander when Expedition 39 began on March 9, 2014. 1 JAXA TODAY No. 08 Epsilon Launch Vehicle Ushers in a New Era for Space Development Theme 1 Continuing Japan’s Tradition of Theme 2 Adding New Innovations with Solid Rocket Development Each Successive Launch What was your primary goal at the development stage? Please outline the innovative technologies incorporated it is no longer necessary to build an entire satellite into the Epsilon Launch Vehicle. from scratch, but simply replace the mission section. Morita: Our main objective was to create an innova- This makes the design suitable for a broad variety of tive launch system. Previously, it was suffi cient to Morita: Previously, we spent a lot of time and effort missions. Following on from the ultraviolet astronomy improve the performance of the launch vehicle itself. on pre-launch inspections of the rocket’s electrical satellite HISAKI (SPRINT-A) carried by Epsilon-1, That was the overriding consideration. However, if systems and ignition circuits, which were carried out this semi-customized method will also be employed we look at a 50-year horizon for space development, manually. To make these procedures autonomous for Epsilon-2’s payload satellite—Exploration of ener- improving rocket performance alone is not enough. and automated, we newly developed the Responsive gization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG)—which is What we have to do is design a system that makes it Operation Support Equipment (ROSE), which planned for launch in 2015. easier to put launch vehicles into space. It is impera- employs artifi cial intelligence (AI), and the Launch We use the term “space vehicle” to express the tive that we shift away from the current paradigm— Control System (LCS), which provides remote control combination of the Epsilon rocket and the small satel- one that is based on having a large workforce spend a capabilities from the ground. ROSE is mounted on lite bus section. In the future, we will aim to provide a lot of time and money, using a large array of equip- the rocket to perform a wide array of equipment diag- method whereby space users will only have to develop ment to get a rocket launched. The key feature of nostic tasks. their mission equipment and we will transport that the Epsilon development project was our decision Through this system, we have shortened the time into space aboard our space vehicle.