Yoshinobu Launch Complex

Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Full view of the Yoshinobu Launch Complex during roll out of the H-IIA rocket in February 2014
Interactive map of Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Launch siteTanegashima
Coordinates30°24′08″N 130°58′30″E / 30.40222°N 130.97500°E / 30.40222; 130.97500
Short nameLA-Y
OperatorJAXA, NASDA (former)
Total launches73
Launch pad2
LA-Y1 launch history
StatusInactive
Launches57
First launch3 February 1994
H-II (VEP/OREX)
Last launch28 June 2025
H-IIA (GOSAT-GW)
Associated
rockets
LA-Y2 launch history
StatusActive
Launches16
First launch10 September 2009
H-IIB (HTV-1)
Last launch10 August 2026
H3 QZS-7 (Michibiki-7)
Associated
rockets

Yoshinobu Launch Complex (abbreviated LA-Y) is a rocket launch site at the Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima island in Japan.[1][2]

History

The Yoshinobu Launch Complex was built in the early 1990s to support launches of larger medium-lift launch vehicles, as the existing Osaki Launch Complex had been designed for small-lift launch vehicles. The Yoshinobu complex was initially developed for the H-II launch vehicle and has since supported launches of the H-IIA, H-IIB, and H3 rockets.[3]

Facilities

The complex consists of two launch pads:

  • LA-Y1: previously used for H-II and H-IIA launches, planned to support H3 in the future
  • LA-Y2: used for H3 launches, previously used for H-IIB launches

The site includes a vehicle assembly building (VAB), where launch vehicles delivered from manufacturing facilities are assembled, inspected, and prepared for launch. The building can accommodate the simultaneous assembly of two launch vehicles. Rockets are assembled atop a mobile launcher platform (ML), after which the payload and payload fairing are installed before rollout to the launch pad. The VAB is 81 metres (266 ft) tall, 64 metres (210 ft) wide, and 34.5 metres (113 ft) meters deep.[3][4] The rocket is transported to the launch pad about twelve hours before launch. Transport from the assembly building to pad takes approximately thirty minutes.[5]

The complex also contains the Yoshinobu Block House, located approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the launch pads, next to the VAB. The launch control room is located 12 metres (39 ft) underground, where launch operations and countdown procedures are remotely monitored and controlled.[3]

The Yoshinobu Firing Test Stand is used for ground testing of first-stage rocket engines. It is currently used to test the LE-9 engine developed for the H3 launch vehicle.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tanegashima Y". astronautix.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC)". JAXA. Archived from the original on 8 December 2006. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Tanegashima Space Center brochure" (PDF). JAXA. June 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Launch Preparation Report". H-IIA Launch Services Flight 15. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  5. ↑ "Countdown Report". H-IIA Launch Vehicle 14. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
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