[Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture] The cutting edge of rocket research begins in Noshiro City. "Noshiro Rocket Testing Site"

Noshiro City, located in the northern part of Akita Prefecture, the Noshiro Rocket Test Site, a large rocket testing facility . Located on a long, narrow site in the western part of the city facing the Sea of ​​Japan, the Noshiro Rocket Test Site houses a row of facilities and testing areas for rocket engine development and combustion tests This cutting-edge space development facility is home to the development and combustion of the small rocket Epsilon, which is still in use today, as well as liquid hydrogen rocket engines. Furthermore, future-focused research is also being conducted, including takeoff and landing tests of reusable experimental rockets and outdoor combustion tests of jet engines.

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A cutting-edge space development facility in Akita

was established in 1962 as a research facility of the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science (now the JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science)

The purpose is the research and development of rocket engines, and the greatest achievement is the development and operation of the Epsilon rocket. Epsilon is one of Japan's main space rockets, a low-cost small rocket that uses solid fuel. The first test vehicle was launched in 2013 from the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

JAXA and the private company IHI Aerospace are jointly involved in the development, and rocket engine testing is being carried out at the Noshiro Rocket Test Site

Up until 2021, five Epsilon rockets had been launched, each carrying an observation or exploration satellite, and all were successful. Furthermore, combustion tests for the Epsilon S rocket, an evolved version of the Epsilon rocket, scheduled for launch in 2023, are also being conducted at the Noshiro Rocket Test Site

Furthermore, research and experiments have begun into the reuse of launch rockets, with ground combustion tests being conducted in 2018 using the small experimental vehicle RV-X. Although the research is still in the early stages, the role of the Noshiro Rocket Test Site is becoming increasingly important as we move towards future practical application. Tours of the Noshiro Rocket Test Site are available by reservation.

JAXA Noshiro Rocket Test Site <Information>

• Facility name: JAXA Noshiro Rocket Test Site
• Address: 1 Shimonishiyama, Asanai, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-52-7123
• Tours available (reservations required)
• Reception hours: 9:00-16:00
• Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, New Year's holidays, August 12th to August 15th
• URL: JAXA Noshiro Rocket Test Site

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Noshiro City is revitalizing itself through space

Noshiro City is a member of the Galactic Federal Republic, which was formed around cities and towns that have JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) facilities, with the aim of "playing a part in achieving peace in space and creating a utopia filled with smiles on people's faces. "

The name of Noshiro City is "Noshiro Republic" .

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We are working together with

As part of its space activities, Noshiro City has opened the Science Park Noshiro Children's Museum and a planetarium, both of which are places where children can learn about space, centered around the Noshiro Rocket Test Site.The city also hosts some of Japan's largest events, including the Noshiro Space Event and the Galaxy Festival in Noshiro, which is held during the Noshiro Space Event period

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"Science Park Noshiro Children's Center" - Learn about space in a fun way

"Science Park Noshiro Children's Museum" is a city-run science museum that helps children develop their hopes and dreams for natural science and space. The first floor is the "Natural Science Museum" and the second floor is the "Space Museum."

With the cooperation of JAXA, the Space Gallery displays life-size models of rockets and satellites, allowing visitors to learn about the principles and history of rockets. In the rocket testing area, videos of experiments conducted at the Noshiro Rocket Test Site are shown, showing how the site's role and research have contributed to Japan's space development

The satellite corner is centered around the asteroid probe "Hayabusa," which was launched by an MV rocket, in which the Noshiro Rocket Testing Center was deeply involved in the development. Models of "Hayabusa" and the asteroid "Itokawa" that Hayabusa explored are on display

The Space Museum also has a planetarium, which shows movies every day except on closed days

Science Park Noshiro Children's Museum <Information>

• Facility name: Science Park Noshiro Children's Center
• Address: 10-1 Omachi, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-52-1277
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
• Admission fee: Free
• * Planetarium admission fee: High school students and above: 340 yen, junior high school students and below: free
• Closed: Mondays, the fourth Friday of every month (except public holidays), the day after a public holiday (Tuesday if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday), and New Year's holidays
• URL: Science Park Noshiro Children's Center

Google Maps

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Homemade rocket launch "Noshiro Space Event"

The Noshiro Space Event is Japan's largest space event . Amateur space enthusiasts, including university, high school, and junior high school students, gather from all over the country to launch handmade rockets and CanSats (simulated artificial satellites the size of empty cans), competing for altitude and flight time.

Although it is not generally open to the public, there is one day during the period when it is open to the public, during which launch experiments of CanSats and homemade rockets are carried out, and the venue, Noshiro Space Plaza, is bustling with spectators

The rockets that are launched are called "model rockets," and their main bodies are made of paper, wood (such as balsa), or plastic, with an engine (rocket motor) attached inside. They are propelled by solid fuel (mainly black powder), and can be launched over 100 meters, so a parachute must always be installed to avoid the danger of falling. A safe launch pad is also required for launch

A license is required for launching, and the rocket can be either homemade or purchased as a kit. Licenses can be obtained from the Japan Model Rocket Association and other organizations

For more information, please visit the official website of the Japan Model Rocket Association ( https://ja-r.net/ ).

During this period, the Noshiro Galaxy Festival will be held in Noshiro City, and the city center will be transformed into a space-themed space festival with special openings of the Noshiro Rocket Test Site, a show featuring the Noshiro Ion mascot, and more

Noshiro Space Event <Information>

• Event name: Noshiro Space Event
• Venue: Noshiro Space Plaza
• For inquiries, please contact: Noshiro Space Event Executive Committee Secretariat
• Phone number: 080-2809-6507
• Public days: Yes (please inquire about opening dates)
• Admission fee: Free
• URL: Noshiro Space Event

Google Maps

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