Yoshinobu Launch Complex

Yoshinobu Launch Complex^[1][2] (abbreviated as LA-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.

Yoshinobu Launch Complex

Full view of the Yoshinobu Launch Complex during roll out of the H-IIA rocket in February 2014
Launch site	Tanegashima
Coordinates	30°24′08″N 130°58′30″E
Short name	LA-Y
Operator	JAXA, NASDA (former)
Total launches	70
Launch pad(s)	2
LA-Y1 launch history Status Active Launches 56 First launch 3 February 1994 H-II (VEP/OREX) Last launch 26 September 2024 H-IIA (IGS-Radar 8) Associated rockets Current: H-IIA Retired: H-II Future: H3 LA-Y2 launch history Status Active Launches 14 First launch 10 September 2009 H-IIB (HTV-1) Last launch 2 February 2025 H3 (QZS-6) Associated rockets Current: H3 Retired: H-IIB

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]

See also

• Spaceflight portal

• List of Yoshinobu Launch Complex launches