Uchinoura Space Centre
ActiveNo launches are currently scheduled from Uchinoura Space Centre in the published manifest, which was last confirmed on 9 August 2026. Dates may have moved since.
Uchinoura Space Centre is Japan's first launch site and home of its first orbital success — the Osumi satellite in 1970, making Japan the fourth country to reach orbit independently. The Hayabusa asteroid-sample-return missions launched from here.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 31.2516°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Uchinoura at 31.2516°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Uchinoura
From 31.2516°N, Uchinoura can reach 4 Starlink inclination shells: 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Uchinoura would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±51° (primarily) — mostly tropical and subtropical regions. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.
Uchinoura: Japan's science launch site
Japan reached orbit for the first time from here — the Ohsumi satellite in 1970 made it the fourth nation in space — and the Hayabusa asteroid sample-return mission flew from Uchinoura on an M-V rocket. Today it launches the solid-fuelled Epsilon.
It is a one-of-a-kind complex carved into terraced mountaintop plateaus, used for ISAS scientific missions and solid-propellant rockets rather than heavy lift.
Uchinoura — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Uchinoura and who operates it?
Uchinoura Space Centre is located at 31.2516°N, 131.0819°E in Kagoshima, Japan. It is owned and operated by JAXA. The site has conducted approximately 30 orbital launches since its first in 1970.
What rockets launch from Uchinoura?
Current vehicles operating from Uchinoura Space Centre include Epsilon, SS-520. Primary customers are JAXA, launching Scientific missions, small satellites, deep-space probes.
What orbits can Uchinoura reach?
At 31.2516°N, Uchinoura's minimum achievable inclination is 31.3° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 31° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Uchinoura?
Yes — Uchinoura Space Centre hosts a moderate cadence of approximately 2 orbital launches per year. Check the operator's website for public viewing arrangements and launch windows.
What satellites can I see that were launched from Uchinoura?
Satellites regularly launched from Uchinoura include Scientific missions, small satellites, deep-space probes. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Uchinoura built at this latitude?
Uchinoura at 31.2516°N was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 1970.
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