November 18 updated

While the scale of scientific satellites is becoming larger, the need for small, low-cost small satellites is increasing. This article outlines the high-performance, small scientific satellite INDEX, now under development, that will carry advanced instruments including commercial products. It also introduces a new development scheme and approach, such as the participation of venture companies.

October 18 updated

The Moon, the celestial body nearest to the Earth, is a treasury of solar-system fossils and the key to elucidate the mysteries of solid planets. The lunar explorer, SELENE, will orbit the Moon to perform various research missions and, further, to collect valuable data required for future activities on the Moon such as the site of a lunar base, etc.

August 31 updated

“Faster, Better, Cheaper” is the slogan advocated by NASA in the U.S.A. Is it possible to fulfill these three goals at a time in space development? JAXA is pursuing “standardization” and “digitization” as the keys to achieve the goals.

July 21 updated

Minor-body exploration, such as the asteroid sample-return mission, is the key to revealing the birth and evolution of our solar system. This article introduces the roles, meanings, themes and visions of future exploration missions in the post-HAYABUSA era.

June 21 updated

A variety of research carried out under microgravity conditions brings new materials to enrich our daily lives and further drives development of science. Here we introduce some of JAXA's current research and the results obtained so far.

May 11 updated

HAYABUSA is flying smoothly in search of asteroids, its long voyage supported by an advanced, highly fuel-efficient ion engine. New stronger ion engines are under development to make even longer epic space voyages possible.

April 06 updated

The universe is filled with strong X-ray radiation
- "the X-ray background". Where does it come from?
How is it related to the formation of supermassive black holes? For 40 years, since the birth of X-ray astronomy, the mystery has been unraveled.

February 18 updated

Transponder, life rope for space explorer traveling far away in space. Next generation transponder, which enables to communicate with explorer located five times the distance between the Sun and earth, is under development for debut.

January 05 updated

IWhat strategy will they use to investigate space plasma, a world outside the bounds of common sense? How do they plan to overcome the difficulties and achieve the “perfect observation of the key areas”?