Masuda Tracking and Communications Station

JAXA’s Masuda Tracking and Communications Station on Tanegashima, established in 1974, receives satellite signals, monitors spacecraft positions, attitudes and onboard equipment, sends data to Tsukuba Space Center, and can transmit commands; it also tracks launch-vehicle telemetry. The visitor exhibit hall in the First Observation Building explains satellite tracking and control through panels and computer games and includes scaled models of the H-IIB launch vehicle, Kibo, the International Space Station and satellites, plus photo and postcard activities. JAXA’s current visitor guidance lists free entry 10:00–17:00, closure December 29–January 3 and for facility-maintenance days, and occasional exhibit-hall closures for rocket launches; up to nine visitors need no reservation, while larger groups and guided visits require advance booking (guided visits are weekdays only). Wheelchairs and strollers can enter the exhibit hall, and two loan wheelchairs are available; lunch may be eaten outside the buildings but not in other areas, and only guide or service dogs may enter. Free visitor parking is available; check JAXA’s current guidance for vehicle limits. Visitor address: 1887-1 Masuda, Nakatane-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima 891-3603, Japan.