🇯🇵Tanegashima Space Center
Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima, Japan, Japan
Country
🇯🇵 Japan
Region
Asia
Established
1969
Launches / Year
5-8
Coordinates
30.4009° N, 130.9758° E
About
Tanegashima Space Center is Japan's largest launch facility, often called the most beautiful rocket launch site in the world due to its tropical island setting. Operated by JAXA, it serves as the primary site for H-IIA, H-IIB, and the new H3 launch vehicle. It has supported Japan's most ambitious space missions.
Key Features
Japan's primary orbital launch facility on a scenic southern island
Yoshinobu Launch Complex supports H-IIA/H-IIB/H3 vehicles
Coastal location with launches over the Pacific Ocean
Often called the most beautiful launch site in the world
Supports satellite, ISS resupply, and deep space missions
Rockets That Launch Here
Companies Operating Here
Orbit Types
Notable Launches
Hayabusa2 (2014) — Asteroid sample return from Ryugu
SELENE/Kaguya (2007) — Lunar orbiter mission
HTV Kounotori ISS resupply missions
H3 maiden flight (2024) — Japan's next-generation rocket
SLIM (2024) — Smart Lander for Investigating Moon