Yoshinobu Launch Complex Explained

Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Pads:2
Site:Tanegashima
Operator:NASDA (former)
JAXA
Short:LC-Y
Tlaunches:64
Paddetails:
Designation:Pad 1
Status:Active
Launches:53
First:3 February 1994
First Details:H-II / VEP/OREX
Last:12 January 2024
Last Details:H-IIA / IGS-Optical 8
Rockets:H-II
H-IIA (active)
Designation:Pad 2
Status:Active
Launches:11
Rockets:H-IIB, H3
First:10 September 2009
First Details:H-IIB / HTV-1
Last Launch:1 July 2024
Last Details:H-III / ALOS-4

Yoshinobu Launch Complex[1] [2] (LC-Y) is a rocket launch site at the Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima. The site and its collection of facilities were originally built for the H-II launch vehicle and later used for H-IIA, H-IIB and H3 launches.

It is the most Northern launch complex at Tanegashima, and along with the now inactive Osaki Launch Complex used for orbital launches. The Yoshinobu Launch Complex consists of two launch pads. The complex also contains a test stand for firing the LE-7 engines used in the first stage of the H-II and its derivatives.[2] Prior to launch, rockets are processed vertically in the complex's vehicle assembly building.[3] The rocket is rolled out to the launch pad on a mobile launcher platform about twelve hours before it is scheduled to launch. It takes around thirty minutes to transport the rocket from the assembly building to Pad 1.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-05-30. Tanegashima Y. https://web.archive.org/web/20161228060101/http://astronautix.com/t/tanegashimay.html. dead. 28 December 2016. astronautix.com.
  2. Web site: Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC). JAXA. 2009-01-19.
  3. Web site: Launch Preparation Report. H-IIA Launch Services Flight 15. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 2009-01-16. 2009-01-19.
  4. Web site: Countdown Report . 2008-02-23. H-IIA Launch Vehicle 14. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 2009-01-19.