The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was formed on October 1, 2003, through the merger of three organizations: the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS, est. 1964), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA, est. 1969). This consolidation created a comprehensive space agency combining space science, satellite development, and aeronautical research. Headquartered in Tokyo with major facilities in Tsukuba, Sagamihara, and launch sites in Kagoshima, JAXA operates on a budget of approximately $1.5 billion (155.8 billion yen for FY2024) with roughly 2,000 employees from nearly 50 nations. Despite having less than one-tenth of NASA's budget, JAXA has achieved remarkable success in asteroid sample return, lunar exploration, and International Space Station operations. JAXA is globally recognized for pioneering achievements including the Hayabusa2 mission's successful return of pristine asteroid samples from Ryugu (2020), the world's first pinpoint lunar landing with SLIM achieving 55-meter accuracy (2024), and operating Kibō, the largest experiment module on the International Space Station since 2008. The agency continues advancing Japan's space capabilities through collaboration with international partners on missions to Mercury (BepiColombo with ESA), the Artemis lunar program, and development of the H3 next-generation launch vehicle.
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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is a significant organization in the space industry. Detailed historical information will be added soon.
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The Crew 11 mission was cut short due to a medical issue, resulting in the early return of four space station crewmates to Earth on January 15, 2026. The astronauts safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast after spending 167 days in space.
In a historic first, four astronauts from the SpaceX Crew-11 mission have safely returned to Earth following a medical issue on the International Space Station (ISS), marking the first-ever medical evacuation of the orbiting laboratory. The successful return highlights the effectiveness of emergency procedures and collaboration between space agencies.
The SpaceX Crew-11 mission has been ended early due to a medical issue affecting one of the crew members, with the astronauts set to depart the International Space Station and splash down off the coast of California. This unprecedented decision marks the first time a NASA mission has been terminated early because of an astronaut's medical condition.
A medical concern with one of the Crew-11 astronauts has prompted NASA to return four astronauts to Earth early, marking the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station. The astronauts are scheduled to splash down tomorrow morning after undocking from the ISS tonight.
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has handed over command of the International Space Station (ISS) to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov as Crew-11 prepares for an early departure due to a medical condition, leaving the ISS with a reduced crew until the arrival of Crew-12 in February. This transition marks a significant shift in the station's operations and highlights the complexities of maintaining a continuous human presence in space.