From The Archives: Japan N-2 Booster Launch From Tanegashima Space Center

The image on the cover of the July 14, 1986, issue is an N-2 booster lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on 12 February 1986, carrying the BS-2B communications spacecraft towards geosynchronous orbit.

Japan launched seven missions on N-2 rockets and seven other flights on similar N-1 boosters.

Japan had also begun construction on new facilities at Tanegashima for the massive new H-2 booster, which was scheduled for launch in 1992.

Both Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science managed Japanese space launch activity.

See the cover and read the full issue dated July 14, 1986, which focused on Japan's growing space efforts, including a feature on page 18: Japan Challenging Western Leadership In Space.

Read the feature package, which continues from page 50.

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