Japan has launched Earth observation, communications and weather satellites as well as other space vehicles since it began its space program in the late 1960s.

The program initially fell under the authority of the National Space Development Agency but is now under NASDA's successor, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA.

Last year, U.S. space shuttles brought components of Japan's Kibo (Hope) space lab to be attached to the International Space Station.