JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Statistics And Facts (2026)

Starter

JAXA Statistics: ​The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has made significant strides in space exploration during 2025 and 2026. In 2025, JAXA recorded four major spacecraft launches, including the final H‑IIA Flight No.50 carrying the GOSAT‑GW satellite on June 29, 2025, and the H3 Flight 7 (H3 F7) launching the new HTV‑X1 cargo vehicle to the International Space Station from Tanegashima Space Center on October 26, 2025. ​

Additionally, while the Marshall Green Award was presented to JAXA and NASA in 2024, in 2025 the Japan‑America Society of Washington, DC honored a different recipient (Charles D. Lake II), and JAXA and NASA continued their cooperation through joint missions such as QZSS satellites and HTV‑X1 resupply flights rather than a new joint award. ​

Furthermore, JAXA organized and participated in multiple aerospace events in 2025, including the 35th Workshop on JAXA Astrodynamics and Flight Mechanics (July 28–29, 2025) and aircraft/aviation symposia under JSASS, complementing Japan’s presence at Expo 2025 Osaka and ongoing international aerospace exhibitions.

The Ultimate Picks

1. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was founded on October 1, 2003, and celebrated 21 years of establishment at the end of 2024.
2. In 2015, JAXA became a National Research and Development Agency.
3. JAXA was established through the merger of three organizations: the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL).
4. JAXA is supervised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).
5. In fiscal year 2025, JAXA’s initial budget amounted to about 154.5 billion Japanese yen roughly USD 1.0 billion.
6. In the same fiscal year, JAXA continued to report strong results from its space project segment, with operating income supported by major missions such as GOSAT‑GW on the final H‑IIA flight and the inaugural HTV‑X1 cargo flight on H3 F7.
7. This segment includes activities such as satellite operations, space transportation systems, space science and exploration, and human space activities.
8. As of June 28, 2025, the H‑IIA launch vehicle had flown 50 times with 49 successful launches, corresponding to a 98% success rate and completing a streak of 44 consecutive successful missions from 2003 to 2025.
9. JAXA has planned to reach 50 H-IIA Flights by the end of 2025.
10. On January 20, 2024, JAXA successfully landed the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) at 0:20 a.m. JST.
11. In 2025, lunar exploration preparations continued toward the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) launch scheduled for December 11, 2025, extending Japan’s planetary exploration portfolio.
12. JAXA developed the Kibo module, which is the largest experiment module on the International Space Station (ISS).
13. On its 10th anniversary in 2013, JAXA introduced the corporate slogan “Explore to Realize”.
14. Following its establishment in 2003, the first launch of H-IIA No. 6 failed; however, subsequent H-IIA launches were successful.

General Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Facts

• The JAXA is headquartered in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan.
• JAXA uses the H‑IIA rocket as its former medium‑lift launch vehicle. By 2025, the H3 rocket has effectively taken over as Japan’s new mainstay launcher, succeeding both H‑IIA and H‑IIB, with multiple successful flights completed since its debut in 2023.
• Moreover, for smaller launches, JAXA uses the Epsilon rocket and the SS-520, S-520, and S-310 sounding rockets for experiments in the upper atmosphere.
• Active Fleet: JAXA boasts an impressive fleet of over 20 operational satellites, constantly gathering data and performing various missions.
• Earth Observation Satellites: JAXA is a leader in Earth observation. Their “GCOM” series of satellites, for instance, monitors weather patterns, climate change, and natural disasters.
• Scientific Spacecraft: JAXA ventures beyond Earth. Their “Hayabusa2” mission, for example, successfully collected samples from an asteroid and returned them to Earth for analysis, opening doors to studying the origins of our solar system.
• Global Partnerships: JAXA actively collaborates with international space agencies like NASA, ESA, and others. This teamwork allows for the sharing of resources and expertise, pushing the boundaries of space exploration further.
• International Space Station (ISS): JAXA is a key partner in the ISS program. The Kibo module, a Japanese contribution, serves as a vital research and experimentation facility onboard the station.

JAXA Organization

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is segmented into 7 different bodies and their specialization:

• Space Technology Directorate I: (Allows for developing launch vehicles)
• Space Technology Directorate II: (Earth-observing satellites in charge)
• Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate: (Maintaining and helping in running all crewed spaceflight programs)
• Research and Development Directorate: (performs technological innovations and improvements that are required for aviation and spaceflight)
• Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS): (Head of all scientific satellites)
• The Aviation Program Group: (is focused on new technologies for further aviation)
• Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center (TansaX): (enable exploration of the solar system)

JAXA by Regular Staff

(Reference: statista.com)

• A report published by Statista on JAXA Statistics mentioned that, as of April 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had around 1,660 regular staff members.
• The number of regular staff in JAXA was slightly lower in previous years, such as 2024 (around 1,640 estimated) and 2023 (1,600), continuing the gradual upward trend seen since 2014.

JAXA by Budget

(Reference: statista.com)

• Based on JAXA Statistics, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s initial budget was about 154.5 billion Japanese yen roughly USD 1.0 billion in fiscal year 2025, reflecting a slightly adjusted but still robust allocation for space and aeronautics.
• Meanwhile, the total space‑related budget in FY2025 under MEXT amounted to 151.6 billion yen, and a separate Space Strategy Fund phase and supplementary budgets added around 200 billion yen more for strategic space projects, mirroring the way the 2022 budget combined initial and supplementary allocations.

Total Number of Spacecraft Launches by JAXA

(Reference: statista.com)

• By 2025, JAXA’s launch activity had stepped up to four notable spacecraft missions, including QZS‑6 on H3 F5, GOSAT‑GW on the final H‑IIA F50, the new HTV‑X1 cargo vehicle on H3 F7, and the RAISE‑4 technology demonstration satellite on an Electron rocket, reflecting a clear rise in annual mission count.
• Furthermore, from 2005 to 2021, the total number of spacecraft launches were 2005 (2), 2006 (6), 2007 (2), 2008 (3), 2009 (4), 2010 (2), 2011 (3), 2012 (2), 2013 (3), 2014 (4), 2015 (4), 2016 (4), 2017 (6), 2018 (6), 2019 (2), 2020 (4), and 2021 (2); continuing this history, 2022 saw 1 launch, 2023 saw 2 launches, 2024 added 3 launches, and 2025 reached 4 spacecraft launches.

JAXA’s Recent Milestones

• On February 2, 2025, JAXA launched the Michibiki 6 satellite aboard the H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center. This satellite is part of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), enhancing regional navigation capabilities.
• February 2, 2025: H3-22S rocket launched the QZS-6 satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• November 4, 2024: H3-22S rocket launched the DSN-3 payload into GTO.
• July 1, 2024: H3-22S rocket launched the ALOS-4 satellite into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
• On March 17, 2025, JAXA announced the public availability of Level 2 cloud and aerosol observation data from the EarthCARE satellite, contributing to climate research and weather prediction.
• For the fiscal year 2024, JAXA received a budget of 155.8 billion Japanese yen, excluding supplementary budgets. ​
• In February 2025, JAXA President Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in space exploration.
• In January 2025, JAXA introduced the world’s first large-scale riblet coating on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by Japan Airlines.
• This technology aims to reduce skin friction resistance, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce CO₂ emissions.
• This mission, planned for 2025, will use the H3-24L rocket to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).
• Scheduled for 2025, aiming to advance communication technologies. ​
• Development continues on CALLISTO, a collaborative project between JAXA, CNES (France), and DLR (Germany), aiming to demonstrate reusable rocket technologies with test flights anticipated in the 2025–2026 timeframe.

By Missions Launched

• On February 2, 2025, JAXA conducted a major mission from the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), launching the Quasi‑Zenith Satellite “MICHIBIKI No. 6 (QZS‑6)” aboard H3 Flight 5 (H3 F5), one of several H3 missions that year following the 2024 H3 TF2 flight carrying VEP‑4, CE‑SAT‑IE, TIRSAT, and XRISM.

Other launch records of the mission are described in the table below (from 2003 to 2023):

(Source: global.jaxa.jp)

JAXA Research Centers by Location

(Source: global.jaxa.jp)

JAXA Statistics by Astronauts

(Source: global.jaxa.jp)

• Currently, only 5 active astronauts are present at JAXA with experience of long-term stays at the International Space Station (ISS) over 100 days: Furukawa Satoshi, Hoshide Akihiko, Yui Kimiya, Onishi Takuya, and Kanai Norishige.
• In recent years, six JAXA astronauts have retired and are working in different fields: Wakata Koichi, Noguchi Soichi, Mohri Mamoru, Makai Chiaki, Doi Takao, and Yamazaki Naoko.
• In 2025, Astronauts Onishi and Yui are each scheduled to join an expedition crew.
• Meanwhile, in Expedition 69 and 70, the Astronaut Furukawa (Crew 7 mission) was launched on August 26, 2023, and returned on March 12, 2024.

Other JAXA Astronaut Boarding Plan

JAXA Statistics by Planned Launches

(Source: wikipedia.org)

JAXA Statistics: Budget and Workforce

• Budget: JAXA’s annual budget in fiscal year 2025 is around 154 billion Japanese yen, which corresponds to roughly USD 1.1 billion. This still accounts for about 2% of global civil space agency budgets, keeping JAXA behind NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) in absolute funding, but supported by Japan’s separate ¥1 trillion Strategic Space Fund.
• Workforce: JAXA employs around 1,660 regular staff members as of April 2025, and in total between 1,000 and 5,000 employees.

Launch Vehicles

• H-IIA Rocket: JAXA’s H‑IIA rocket has continued to be a reliable workhorse through its retirement, flying a total of 50 times with 49 successful launches by June 28, 2025, which corresponds to a 98% success rate. This versatile rocket has launched numerous satellites and spacecraft for JAXA and international partners, including the final GOSAT‑GW (IBUKI‑GW) mission in 2025.
• H3 Launch Vehicle: The next‑generation H3 rocket is designed to be more cost‑effective and powerful, and by 2025 it has flown five successful missions and two failures since its debut in 2023.

Human Spaceflight

• Astronaut Corps: JAXA maintains a highly trained astronaut corps. These astronauts have participated in missions aboard the Space Shuttle and the ISS, conducting valuable research and contributing to the advancement of human spaceflight.

Looking to the Future

• Lunar Gateway: JAXA is looking towards the Moon. They are collaborating on the construction of the Lunar Gateway, a mini-space station that will serve as a critical hub for future lunar exploration missions.
• Martian Dreams: Mars exploration is also on the horizon. JAXA is involved in missions to study the Red Planet and pave the way for future human exploration.

Beyond Numbers: The Impact of JAXA

JAXA’s work extends beyond impressive statistics. Here are some key areas where their impact is felt:

• Disaster Management: JAXA’s Earth observation satellites provide vital data for disaster preparedness and response. Real-time information on weather patterns, floods, and earthquakes allows for better decision-making and saving lives.
• Climate Change Monitoring: JAXA’s satellites play a crucial role in monitoring the effects of climate change, providing data on global warming, deforestation, and rising sea levels.
• Scientific Advancement: JAXA’s space missions contribute significantly to scientific research. Their missions to asteroids and the Moon provide valuable insights into the formation of our solar system and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
• Technological Innovation: JAXA’s space endeavors drive technological advancements. The development of rockets, satellites, and spacecraft requires cutting-edge technologies that benefit other sectors, such as communication, navigation, and material science.

Ending

The history of JAXA is all about innovations, international cooperation, and a never-ending quest for expanding the frontiers of space. Although the statistics provide enough information about their accomplishments, their real value is measured by their role in science, disaster response, and mankind’s aspirations to reach for the stars in the future.

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