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ISS Crew Prepares to Send Japan’s HTV-X1 Cargo Spacecraft Back to Earth After Four Months
The Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station is preparing to release Japan’s HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft after four months docked. Using Canadarm2, the vehicle will detach, conduct additional experiments in orbit, and later deorbit, while astronauts continue biology and AI research onboard.
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ISS Astronauts Celebrate Christmas in Orbit, Send Messages to Earth
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station marked Christmas in orbit by sending a warm video message to Earth. Members of Expedition 74 shared festive traditions, reflected on being away from home, and joked about orbiting higher than Santa. The crew highlighted teamwork, global support, and the spirit of togetherness that defines life in sp...
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Japan’s H3 Rocket Suffers Setback as Michibiki 5 Navigation Satellite Launch Fails
The Japanese H3 rocket failed to place the Michibiki 5 satellite in orbit, marking the second launch failure in seven missions.
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International Space Station Makes History As Eight Visiting Spacecraft Simultaneously Dock
In December 2025, the ISS reached a historic milestone with eight visiting spacecraft docked simultaneously for the first time. The lineup included Soyuz crew vehicles, Progress cargo ships, Japan’s HTV-X1, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus, and two SpaceX Dragons. The rare configuration highlighted intense crew rotation operations and the ISS’s role...
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Japan’s Akatsuki Spacecraft Declared Inoperable, Marking End of Dedicated Venus Missions
Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft, which studied Venus for nearly a decade, has been declared inoperable by JAXA. Successfully orbiting in 2015 after an initial failure, Akatsuki uncovered major insights into Venus’s swirling clouds and atmosphere. Its mission’s end leaves a gap until NASA’s VERITAS and DAVINCI+ missions take over.
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Japan Launches Final H-2A Rocket with GOSAT-GW Satellite to Monitor Climate and Oceans
Japan concluded the H-2A rocket program with the launch of the GOSAT-GW satellite, dedicated to monitoring greenhouse gases and sea temperatures. The mission strengthens Japan’s long-term commitment to climate research and marks a transition to the more cost-effective H3 launch system. Over its 25-year lifespan, H-2A recorded 49 successes out of ...
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Japan Committed To Moon Missions As Trump Cuts NASA Budget: JAXA Chief
Japan is ready to support the United States' lower-cost lunar missions, its space agency chief said, after the US administration proposed a $6 billion cut to NASA's budget.
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Japan’s First Space Launch of 2025 Sends Michibiki 6 Navigation Satellite into Orbit
Japan launched the Michibiki 6 satellite aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, marking the country’s first space mission of 2025. The 4,900-kilogram satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit 29 minutes after liftoff. Michibiki 6 will enhance the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, improving GPS services in Japan and nearb...
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First Wooden Satellite Deployed Into Earth's Orbit, May Transform Space Exploration
The world's first wooden satellite LignoSat was among the five CubeSats deployed into the Earth's orbit last month, above 400 km above the planet.
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Japanese Rocket Epsilon S’ Engine Explodes for the Second Time During Testing
Japan's space programme faces setbacks as the Epsilon S rocket engine explodes during testing for the second time in just 16 months. The engine, a key part of the upcoming Epsilon S rocket, failed during a test at JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center, raising concerns about meeting the March 2025 debut launch timeline. JAXA has announced an investigatio...
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NASA and JAXA’s XRISM Mission Captures Detailed Data from X-Ray Emitting Wolf-Rayet Star
NASA and JAXA’s XRISM mission recently produced a detailed analysis of Cygnus X-3, a high-mass binary system containing a Wolf-Rayet star and a likely black hole. Using high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy, scientists observed intricate gas dynamics involving the star’s stellar winds and interactions with its companion.
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Japan’s XRISM Telescope Delivers Insights from a Supermassive Black Hole and a Supernova
Less than a year since Japan's X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) launched, it has delivered its first results, uncovering crucial information about black holes and supernova remnants. XRISM is a collaborative effort between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Its observations have revealed...
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Japan Loses Contact With Humanity's Only Active Venus Probe 'Akatsuki'
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed that it lost contact with the spacecraft Akatsuki, humanity's only mission to Venus. The announcement was made on X (formerly Twitter).
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Japan Moon Lander "Comes Back To Life" After 2-Week Lunar Night
Japan's Moon lander has produced another surprise by waking up after the two-week lunar night, the country's space agency said Monday.
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Japan Successfully Launches Next-Generation H3 Rocket In Third Attempt
Japan's space agency announced the successful launch of its new flagship rocket on Saturday, making it third time lucky for the H3 after years of delays and two previous failed attempts.
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ISS Crew Prepares to Send Japan’s HTV-X1 Cargo Spacecraft Back to Earth After Four Months
The Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station is preparing to release Japan’s HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft after four months docked. Using Canadarm2, the vehicle will detach, conduct additional experiments in orbit, and later deorbit, while astronauts continue biology and AI research onboard.
-
ISS Astronauts Celebrate Christmas in Orbit, Send Messages to Earth
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station marked Christmas in orbit by sending a warm video message to Earth. Members of Expedition 74 shared festive traditions, reflected on being away from home, and joked about orbiting higher than Santa. The crew highlighted teamwork, global support, and the spirit of togetherness that defines life in sp...
-
Japan’s H3 Rocket Suffers Setback as Michibiki 5 Navigation Satellite Launch Fails
The Japanese H3 rocket failed to place the Michibiki 5 satellite in orbit, marking the second launch failure in seven missions.
-
International Space Station Makes History As Eight Visiting Spacecraft Simultaneously Dock
In December 2025, the ISS reached a historic milestone with eight visiting spacecraft docked simultaneously for the first time. The lineup included Soyuz crew vehicles, Progress cargo ships, Japan’s HTV-X1, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus, and two SpaceX Dragons. The rare configuration highlighted intense crew rotation operations and the ISS’s role...
-
Japan’s Akatsuki Spacecraft Declared Inoperable, Marking End of Dedicated Venus Missions
Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft, which studied Venus for nearly a decade, has been declared inoperable by JAXA. Successfully orbiting in 2015 after an initial failure, Akatsuki uncovered major insights into Venus’s swirling clouds and atmosphere. Its mission’s end leaves a gap until NASA’s VERITAS and DAVINCI+ missions take over.
-
Japan Launches Final H-2A Rocket with GOSAT-GW Satellite to Monitor Climate and Oceans
Japan concluded the H-2A rocket program with the launch of the GOSAT-GW satellite, dedicated to monitoring greenhouse gases and sea temperatures. The mission strengthens Japan’s long-term commitment to climate research and marks a transition to the more cost-effective H3 launch system. Over its 25-year lifespan, H-2A recorded 49 successes out of ...
-
Japan Committed To Moon Missions As Trump Cuts NASA Budget: JAXA Chief
Japan is ready to support the United States' lower-cost lunar missions, its space agency chief said, after the US administration proposed a $6 billion cut to NASA's budget.
-
Japan’s First Space Launch of 2025 Sends Michibiki 6 Navigation Satellite into Orbit
Japan launched the Michibiki 6 satellite aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, marking the country’s first space mission of 2025. The 4,900-kilogram satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit 29 minutes after liftoff. Michibiki 6 will enhance the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, improving GPS services in Japan and nearb...
-
First Wooden Satellite Deployed Into Earth's Orbit, May Transform Space Exploration
The world's first wooden satellite LignoSat was among the five CubeSats deployed into the Earth's orbit last month, above 400 km above the planet.
-
Japanese Rocket Epsilon S’ Engine Explodes for the Second Time During Testing
Japan's space programme faces setbacks as the Epsilon S rocket engine explodes during testing for the second time in just 16 months. The engine, a key part of the upcoming Epsilon S rocket, failed during a test at JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center, raising concerns about meeting the March 2025 debut launch timeline. JAXA has announced an investigatio...
-
NASA and JAXA’s XRISM Mission Captures Detailed Data from X-Ray Emitting Wolf-Rayet Star
NASA and JAXA’s XRISM mission recently produced a detailed analysis of Cygnus X-3, a high-mass binary system containing a Wolf-Rayet star and a likely black hole. Using high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy, scientists observed intricate gas dynamics involving the star’s stellar winds and interactions with its companion.
-
Japan’s XRISM Telescope Delivers Insights from a Supermassive Black Hole and a Supernova
Less than a year since Japan's X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) launched, it has delivered its first results, uncovering crucial information about black holes and supernova remnants. XRISM is a collaborative effort between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Its observations have revealed...
-
Japan Loses Contact With Humanity's Only Active Venus Probe 'Akatsuki'
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed that it lost contact with the spacecraft Akatsuki, humanity's only mission to Venus. The announcement was made on X (formerly Twitter).
-
Japan Moon Lander "Comes Back To Life" After 2-Week Lunar Night
Japan's Moon lander has produced another surprise by waking up after the two-week lunar night, the country's space agency said Monday.
-
Japan Successfully Launches Next-Generation H3 Rocket In Third Attempt
Japan's space agency announced the successful launch of its new flagship rocket on Saturday, making it third time lucky for the H3 after years of delays and two previous failed attempts.
