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

Noshiro City, located in the northern part of Akita Prefecture, is home to the large-scale rocket testing site,the Noshiro Rocket Experiment Station. Situated on a long, narrow plot of land in the western part of the city, facing the Sea of ​​Japan, the facility houses a row of rocket engine development and combustion testing facilities and test grounds. It is a state-of-the-art space development facility. Furthermore, research looking to the future is also being conducted, including takeoff and landing tests using reusable rocket test vehicles and outdoor combustion tests of jet engines.

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A cutting-edge space development facility in Akita

The Noshiro Rocket Experiment Station was established in 1962 (Showa 37)a research facility of the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo (now the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA)as

The objective is research and development of rocket engines, and the greatest achievement is the development and operation of the Epsilon rocket.The Epsilon is one of Japan's main space rockets, a low-cost, small rocket that uses solid fuel. The first test launch took place in 2013 from JAXA's 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 on the reuse of launch rockets have begun, including a ground combustion test using the small experimental RV-X in 2018. Although this research is still in its initial stages, the role of the Noshiro Rocket Experiment Site is becoming increasingly important for future practical application.The Noshiro Rocket Experiment Site can be visited 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

an organization formed primarily of cities and towns with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) facilities, with the aim of "playing a part in achieving peace in space and creating a utopia overflowing withthe "Galactic Federation Republic,"'s smiles.

The country name for 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

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

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Homemade rocket launch "Noshiro Space Event"

The Noshiro Space EventisJapan's largest space event. Amateur space enthusiasts, including university, high school, and junior high school students from all over the country, gather to launch homemade rockets and CanSats (simulated artificial satellites the size of empty cans) and compete in terms of 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 details, please visit the Japan Model Rocket Association official website (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

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