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

is home to Rocket Testing Site, a large-scale rocket testing site In the western part of the city, on a long and narrow site facing the Sea of ​​Japan, there are facilities for the development and combustion testing of rocket engines, as well as an experimental site, where the small rocket Epsilon and liquid hydrogen rocket engines, which are still in use today, are developed and burned. a state-of-the-art space development facility where research experiments are conducted . Furthermore, future-oriented research is underway, including take-off and landing tests using reusable experimental rockets and outdoor combustion tests of jet engines.

A state-of-the-art space development facility in Akita

The Noshiro Rocket Testing Site was established as a research facility of the Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo (currently the JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science)

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

JAXA and the private company IHI Aerospace are jointly involved in the development, and rocket engine testing is conducted at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Range.

By 2021, up to five Epsilon rockets have been launched carrying observation and exploration satellites, all of which were successful. Furthermore, combustion tests for the Epsilon S rocket, which is an evolution of the Epsilon rocket and is scheduled to launch in 2023, are also being conducted at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Range.

Furthermore, research and experiments on the reuse of launch vehicles have begun, including a ground combustion test using the small experimental vehicle RV-X in 2018. Although this research is still at the introductory stage, the role of the Noshiro Rocket Testing Range will become increasingly important for future practical application. You can tour the Noshiro Rocket Testing Range by making a 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 possible (reservation required)
• Reception hours: 9:00-16:00
• Closed days: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, August 12th to August 15th
• URL: JAXA Noshiro Rocket Test Site

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Noshiro City revitalizes itself in space

Noshiro City is part of the Galactic Federal Republic, which was formed around the city and town where JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) facilities are located, with the aim of "playing a part in universal peace and creating a utopia filled with smiles of people. " I am a member of

The country name of Noshiro City is “Noshiro Republic” .

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We are working together.

In Noshiro City, as part of space activities, the Noshiro Rocket Testing Site has been opened, as well as the ``Science Park/Noshiro City Children's Museum'' and ``Planetarium'', which are places where children can learn about space. Japan's largest events are held during the event period, such as the "Galaxy Festival in Noshiro".

``Science Park Noshiro Children's Museum'' where you can have fun learning about space

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

The Space Museum exhibits full-size models of rockets and satellites in cooperation with JAXA, and you can learn about the principles and history of rockets. In the rocket test site corner, video footage of experiments conducted at the Noshiro Rocket Test Site is played, allowing you to see how the role and research content has contributed to Japan's space development.

In the satellite corner, the main exhibit is the asteroid explorer ``Hayabusa,'' which was launched by an MV rocket whose development was deeply involved in the Noshiro Rocket Range. Models of ``Hayabusa'' and the asteroid ``Itokawa'' that Hayabusa explored are on display.

The Space Museum also has a planetarium, and movies are shown every day except on closed days.

Science Park/Noshiro City Children's Museum <Information>

• Facility name: Science Park/Noshiro City Children's Museum
• 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: 340 yen for high school students and above, free for junior high school students and below.
• Closed: Mondays, the fourth Friday of the month (excluding holidays), the day after a holiday (Tuesday if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday), New Year's holidays
• URL: Science Park/Noshiro City Children's Museum

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Homemade rocket launch “Noshiro Space Event”

"Noshiro Space Event" is Japan's largest space event . Amateur space fans, including university students, high school students, 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) and compete in terms of their altitude and flight time.

Basically, it is not open to the public, but there is one open day set during the period, and launch experiments of cansats, handmade rockets, etc. are carried out, and the venue, ``Noshiro Space Plaza'', is crowded with many spectators. .

The rocket that is launched is called a "model rocket."The main body is made of paper, wood (balsa, etc.), or plastic, and an engine (rocket motor) is installed inside the main body for launch. The propulsion force is solid fuel (mainly black powder), and since it can launch more than 100 meters, it must be equipped with a parachute to avoid the danger of falling. A safe launch pad is also required for launch.

A license is required for launch, and rockets can be self-made or purchased as kits. Licenses can be obtained from the Japan Model Rocket Association, etc.

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

During this period, the Noshiro Galaxy Festival will be held in Noshiro City, and the center of Noshiro City will be filled with the colors of space, including a special opening of the Noshiro Rocket Test Site and a show featuring the image character Noshiro Aeon.

Noshiro Space Event <Information>

• Event name: Noshiro Space Event
• Venue: Noshiro Space Plaza
• Contact: Noshiro Space Event Executive Committee Secretariat
• Phone number: 080-2809-6507
• Public open days: Yes (please inquire for opening dates)
• Admission fee: Free
• URL: Noshiro Space Event

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