This site uses cookies to analyze visitor usage and improve usability.
For more information, please review ourcookie policyin our Terms of Use.
Please select “Agree” to continue browsing the site.

About us

Philosophy

The world beyond imagination starts from here

― What JAXA Research and Development Directorate aims for ―
JAXA Research and Development Directorate works on creation of
innovative "ideas" and highly competitive "technologies" and
challenges to realize a rich society by utilizing aerospace.
― Creating "Future" ―
Leading Research
We promote leading research and development towards realization of advanced aerospace missions and systems that create new value; i.e.
we create future from aerospace.
― Connecting "now" to "Future" ―
Research for Secure Development and
Success of Missions
We also support resolving challenges that the aerospace industry and projects face now using our expertise.

Research Policy

As National Research and Development Agency, JAXA, looking at the next decade, will create high-value-added mission and competitive systems by conducting R&D and technology demonstration regarding innovative technologies that dramatically improve the functions/performance of space systems as well as “dual utilization” technologies that are useful for both space development such as space exploration and ground business/social solution, and those efforts will be pursued jointly with industries, including non-space business, in an expanded open innovation approach.

Through these efforts, we will contribute to technological innovation and the promotion of a wide range of industries, as well as promote projects at JAXA, strengthen the competitiveness of private companies, accelerate commercialization, and encourage the entry of different industries, SMEs, and startup companies into the space field. As the major challenges in the 4th mid-term plan, we set the following themes, and we will work on research and development to resolve these challenges by collaborating with each directorate of JAXA as well as related institutions and organizations.

Research and development that contributes to strengthening the comprehensive foundations of Japan's space activities
  • To ensure the continued independence of Japan's space transportation system and to strengthen its competitiveness in the future market, as innovative “R&D on the future space transportation systems” aiming at drastic cost reduction, JAXA as a whole will work together to conduct research and development of innovative technologies such as reusable technology, innovative material technology, innovative propulsion system technology (liquefied natural gas (LNG), airbreathing), innovative manufacturing technology, and reliability and safety technologies for manned transportation, taking into account the upgrading of mainstay rockets.
  • Under the Satellite Development and Demonstration Platform established by National Space Policy Secretariat at the Cabinet Office and the Committee on National Space Policy, JAXA will conduct R&D and demonstration of challenging and innovative satellite technologies that can be utilized by the public and private sectors, key components that Japan should maintain, and new development and manufacturing methods (digitalization, etc.), in cooperation with various government ministries, universities, research institutes, and private businesses including startup companies.
  • Centered around the areas where JAXA has strong points in, such as simulation technology, highly-reliable software technology, mounted equipment and parts with high global competitiveness, advanced rocket engines, we aim to contribute to enhance JAXA’ s competitiveness in highly advanced space projects and resolve challenges where JAXA strengthens the collaboration among the industry, government, and academia as its core.
  • We also interact and collaborate with areas other than aerospace in order to take in wide knowledge that resides in Japan for enhancing our space technology as well as to utilize space technology to challenges various areas are facing. By doing this, we aim to contribute to maximize and spread the results as the whole country. Furthermore, in the future, depending on the expansion of utilization of aerospace, for the areas that need improvement and enhancement, we will utilize competitive research funds, introduce private funds, and mobilize human resources to promote agile research and development.
Leading research and development that create new value in the aerospace development
  • We will contribute to securing Japan's international competitiveness by taking on the challenge to create a new aerospace market and steadily acquiring debris removal technologies by collaborating with private businesses that aim to operationalize the aerospace debris countermeasures ahead of the world. As the major challenge here, we aim to demonstrate our technologies of the world-first, low-cost debris removal service targeted for large rocket debris. Furthermore, towards its operationalization, we will collaborate with the Japanese government as well as domestic and foreign related organizations to contribute to the early realization of international rules for aerospace debris countermeasures on a stage such as the UN based on the demonstration results of our technologies.
  • We will cooperate with private businesses to perform research and development and develop technologies that foresee the needs of the market, and demonstrate these technologies. By doing so, we aim to create leading services and globally competitive systems ahead of the world.
  • In the international space exploration field, which is a new frontier, in order to lead the plan with excellent technologies and designs as an essential international partner, we will perform research and development to polish our own technologies, which have high superiority in exploration and analysis on planets, as well as efficient access to environmental control, life support, radiation protection, gravitational planets, etc.

Organization

Director General Research Strategy Department Intellectual Property Division Kakuda Administration Division Main research on technologies of electrical systems for trajectory, navigation guidance and control, telecommunications, space power systems, and electronics, space environment, space materials, etc. Main research on technologies of mechanical systems for thermal systems, structures and mechanism and tribology, propulsion system, space robotics, and environmental control for human space missions, etc. Main research on technologies for programming, numerical simulation, and informatics, etc. Main research on technologies for space transportation systems. Management and Integration Department Research Unit I Research Unit II Research Unit III Research Unit IV System Technology Unit Satellite Technology Demonstration Research Unit Sensor System Research Group CALLISTO Project Team MOLI Pre-Project Team CRD2 Phase II Pre-Project Team
Director General Research Strategy Department Intellectual Property Division Management and Integration Department KAKUDA SPACE CENTER Main research on technologies of electrical systems for trajectory, navigation guidance and control, telecommunications, space power systems, and electronics, space environment, space materials, etc. Main research on technologies of mechanical systems for thermal systems, structures and mechanism, propulsion system, space robotics, and environmental control for human space missions, etc. Main research on technologies for programming, numerical simulation, and informatics, etc. Main research on technologies for space transportation systems Management and Integration Department Research Unit I Research Unit II Research Unit III Research Unit IV System Technology Unit Satellite Technology Demonstration Research Unit Sensor System Research Group CALLISTO Project Team MOLI Pre-Project Team CRD2 Phase II Pre-Project Team