I. WHAT IS JAXA (pronounced jacksa)
After the end of world war II the space development began in Japan.
At the beginning because japanese people had lost war, research on aircrafts* was strictly prohibited.
But in 1952, when Japan became independent, research was possibly again.
In 1955 Hideo Itokawa proceeded to launch of Pencil Rocket at the university of Tokyo.
This launch was the beginning of space development in Japan.
However there are restrictions : in 1969 the Diet Resolution forced them to do that only in a peaceful goal.
In 1970 with the launch of the first satellite OHSUMI, Japan become the 4th nation to succeed in launching a satellite.
At first 3 agencies were created :
-the National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) in 1955 (name changed to National Aerospace Laboratory in 1963).
-the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (ISAS) in 1964 (name changed to the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in 1981).
-the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) in 1969.
In 2003 these agencies were regrouped in JAXA, to be able to perform all their activities from basic research and development to utilization.
Concerning the budget, the MEXT (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) is the biggest investor in the 7 ministeries which participate.
1G = 1 Milliard
In 2006, the budget of JAXA was 180Gyen (i.e. 1.3G€), almost the totality of the budget of the space development which was 260Gyen (1.9G€).
The president is Keiji Tachikawa (ex NTT docomo's president, agency of telecommunication).
JAXA has many activities : spatial transport, earth observation, telecommunication, sciences of the universe, defense and International Space Station (ISS).
Jaxa's first contribution to the ISS program is the japanese experiment module (JEM) known as KIBO, which means "hope" in japanese.
Kibo is the Japan's firts human-rated space facility and JAXA's first contribution to the ISS program.
In 2005 Jaxa has presented "JAXA 2025", its long term vision for the next 20 years :
"Develop launch vehicles and satellites with the highest reliability and world class capability, contributing to the realization of a secure and prosperous society. Promote “top science” in the field of space science while preparing for Japan’s own human space activities and the utilization of the Moon. Conduct flight demonstration of a prototype hypersonic vehicle with the cruising speed at Mach 5. With all of the above activities, contribute to turning the aerospace industry into a key industry."
Finally CNES (french space agency) and JAXA have regular symposium* on space cooperation.
In 2005 they have shared their vision and work on spatial transport, components, earth observation and use of the ISS.