Japan's launcher for observation and exploration.
H-IIA is a Japanese rocket for satellites and robotic probes. Its first flight in 2001 continues the H-II programme while seeking more efficient launch operations.
From Tanegashima, it supports Earth observation, telecommunications and scientific research. Different versions adjust performance to the mission, without carrying astronauts.
H-IIA launches Kaguya toward the Moon and Hayabusa2 toward asteroid Ryugu. In both cases the launcher starts the journey; the spacecraft subsequently handle their own navigation and scientific work.
Selected representative missions; crew names belong to the flight shown.
Kaguya studies the Moon's surface, topography and environment from lunar orbit.
Hayabusa2 departs for Ryugu on a mission to collect and return asteroid samples.
Dates follow the days reported by the source agencies, generally in local time; the UTC day can differ. Crews belong to the selected missions, not every flight in the family.
The family supports Japanese autonomy in space and the development of precise robotic exploration missions.
First flight or first test of the family, including unsuccessful or suborbital attempts.
