The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2025 Asia

Key space-program milestones Japan, in 1 edition.

The entry for Japan published Key space-program milestones in 1 edition of 36, from 2025 to 2025. The text never changed. Each is shown as published. Key space-program milestones in every entry.

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2025
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2025

Published as “Key space-program milestones” (2025).

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2025

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  • 1966-1970 - initiated satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and launched first domestically produced satellite (OHSUMI)
  • 1985 - launched two Halley’s Comet observation satellites (Japan’s first missions beyond Earth’s orbit)
  • 1992 - first astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle
  • 1998 - launched its first Mars orbiter (failed to enter orbit)
  • 2003 - launched world’s first uncrewed spacecraft (Hayabusa 1) to return with a sample from an asteroid (2010)
  • 2007 - launched Lunar orbiter (Kaguya) mission
  • 2010 - launched Venus orbiter (Akatsuki) mission
  • 2014 - launched asteroid probe with lander/rover (Hayabusa 2); first Japanese International Space Station commander
  • 2018 - launched joint Japan-ESA probe to Mercury (BepiColombo); began operation of a navigational/positioning satellite constellation (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS)
  • 2019 - began participating in US-led lunar orbital station and Moon exploration programs
  • 2024 - soft-landed unmanned spacecraft (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM) on the Moon; conducted first successful test launch of domestically produced H3 medium-lift SLV

1966-1970 - initiated satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and launched first domestically produced satellite (OHSUMI)
1985 - launched two Halley’s Comet observation satellites (Japan’s first missions beyond Earth’s orbit)
1992 - first astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle
1998 - launched its first Mars orbiter (failed to enter orbit)
2003 - launched world’s first uncrewed spacecraft (Hayabusa 1) to return with a sample from an asteroid (2010)
2007 - launched Lunar orbiter (Kaguya) mission
2010 - launched Venus orbiter (Akatsuki) mission
2014 - launched asteroid probe with lander/rover (Hayabusa 2); first Japanese International Space Station commander
2018 - launched joint Japan-ESA probe to Mercury (BepiColombo); began operation of a navigational/positioning satellite constellation (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS)
2019 - began participating in US-led lunar orbital station and Moon exploration programs
2024 - soft-landed unmanned spacecraft (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM) on the Moon; conducted first successful test launch of domestically produced H3 medium-lift SLV

Central Intelligence Agency. “Japan: Key space-program milestones.” The World Factbook, 2025–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/japan/key-space-program-milestones.

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