First private! A small rocket launch site was born in Kushimoto

Launch of Private Rocket No. 2

In December 2021, Spaceport Kii, Japan's first private small rocket launch site, was established in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture.
Unit 1 "Cairos" was launched in March 2024, and Unit 2 is scheduled to be launched on December 18, 2024.
It's very exciting to think that the day when you can see the rocket launch up close is approaching.
Why don't you come to Kushimoto to see the rocket on this wonderful opportunity? Here, we will introduce the details of the rocket launch site "Spaceport Kii" while conveying the charm of Kushimoto.

The first rocket launch site in Honshu

Spaceport Kii, which was built as a rocket launch site, was born in Kushimoto-cho, Wakayama Prefecture in December 2021.
Space One Co., Ltd., which operates Spaceport Kii, the first private rocket launch site, is a company established for commercial space transportation services.
Specifically, it plays a role in transporting small satellites entrusted by customers to the specified satellite orbit. In the future, commercial satellites are expected to become smaller and lighter, and the field of activity is expected to expand, and this will be loaded onto the company's small rocket and launched.
In recent years, the private sector's business utilizing space has expanded rapidly, and demand for rocket launches has increased accordingly.

Kushimotocho, the southernmost town of Honshu

Kushimoto-cho, Wakayama Prefecture is located at the southernmost tip of Honshu, and the sea of Kushimoto, which was blessed by the Kuroshio, is a land of large coral communities, and is also famous as a place where there are very many types of fish.
In the mountains and seas around Kushimoto, there are many tourist spots known nationwide, such as Hashikui-iwa Rock, Shiomisaki, Kumano Kodo, and Nachi Falls. There are also "Aventure World", which is famous for pandas if you go a little further, including the "Nanki Kumano Geopark Center".
There are many delicious Wakayama gourmets, such as "katsuo", "kue" and "tuna", as well as "Kumano beef" and even abundant fruits, so you can enjoy visiting sightseeing spots and gourmet tours.

This is the reason why Kushimoto was selected as the site of the rocket launch site, because it is located in the southernmost part of Honshu. Currently, there are two rocket launch sites in Japan, all of which are located in Kagoshima Prefecture.
It is said that the closer the equator, the more gravity can be used effectively, and in that sense, Kagoshima, located at the southern tip of Japan, is selected.
In the case of rockets launched from Kushimoto-cho, the main factory to manufacture is located in the Kanto area, so rockets can be carried by land.
Another reason is that the surrounding area is unmanned over a certain range.

Only the official tour sites prepared at Tahara Beach (about 20 minutes by car from the hotel) and the former Uragami Elementary School (about 25 minutes by car from the hotel) can actually be seen. Both venues are about 2 km from the launch site of the rocket, so you can see the launch of the rocket up close.
※The image is an image.

Scheduled launch date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 11:00 to 11:20　※It has been changed since December 15th.

Launch location: Spaceport Kii

For details, please refer to the following website.

Cairos Unit 2 Launch Support Site