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.

Launch siteTanegashima

Coordinates30°24′08″N 130°58′30″E

Short nameLA-Y

OperatorJAXA, NASDA (former)

Quick facts Launch site, Coordinates ...

Yoshinobu Launch Complex

Full view of the Yoshinobu Launch Complex during roll out of the H-IIA rocket in February 2014
Interactive map of Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Launch site	Tanegashima
Coordinates	30°24′08″N 130°58′30″E
Short name	LA-Y
Operator	JAXA, NASDA (former)
Total launches	73
Launch pad	2
LA-Y1 launch history Status Active Launches 57 First launch 3 February 1994 H-II (VEP/OREX) Last launch 28 June 2025 H-IIA (GOSAT-GW) Associated rockets Retired: H-II, H-IIA Future: H3 LA-Y2 launch history Status Active Launches 16 First launch 10 September 2009 H-IIB (HTV-1) Last launch 22 December 2025 H3 (QZS-5) Associated rockets Current: H3 Retired: H-IIB

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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:

Orbital launches take place from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex, lifting off from its two launch pads:

• LA-Y1 used for H-II and H-IIA launches
• LA-Y2 used for H-IIB and H3 launches

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]