The H-2 Launch Vehicle meets the need of launching large-scale satellites for 1990's. The development project of this vehicle is being carried out to develop a highly reliable vehicle, solely depending on domestic technologies. The launching cost is also intended to be reduced to the international level. The first test vehicle is scheduled to be launched in the January-February period of 1992. Japan will also participate in NASA's space station program by developing the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) which is intended to be launched in 1995. The NASDA is currently working on the research of a winged retrievable space vehicle named HOPE. It will be launched by the H-2 Launch Vehicle or its improved version, and glides back from the orbit to the earth in the same way as the space shuttle. The NASDA is also studying a single-stage reusable space plane for use in the 21st century. This requires a high-performance air-breathing engine, an extra-lightweight thermal resistance structure, and superb aerodynamics and cooling systems; none of these features can be omitted. The space plane, however, entails a variety of technological issues which must be solved, so it cannot be put into practical operation before 2010.


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