First civilian! Small rocket launch site was born in Kushimoto.

Launch of Private Rocket No. 2

In December 2021, Spaceport Kii, Japan's first 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 on this wonderful opportunity to see the rocket? Here, we will introduce the details of the rocket launch site "Space Port Kii" while conveying the charm of Kushimoto.

Honshu's first rocket launch site

Spaceport Kii, 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, private space-based businesses have rapidly expanded, and demand for rocket launches has increased accordingly.

Kushimoto-cho, the southernmost town in 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 large-scale coral community and is 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 "Adventure World", which is famous for pandas if you go a little further, such as "Hashikui-iwa Rock", "Shiosaki Kumano Geopark Center".
There are many delicious Wakayama gourmets, such as seafood such as bonito, quee, and tuna, as well as "Kumano beef", and abundant fruits, so you can enjoy visiting sightseeing spots and visiting gourmet tours.

This is the reason why Kushimoto was selected as a 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 gravitational force can be used effectively, and in that sense, Kagoshima, located at the southern tip of Japan, has been selected.
In the case of rockets launched from Kushimoto-cho, the main factory to manufacture is located in the Kanto region, so rockets can be transported by land.
Another reason is that the surroundings are unmanned in a certain area or more.

In fact, rocket launches can only be seen at the official tour site prepared at two locations: Tahara Beach (about 20 minutes by car from the hotel) and the former Uragami Elementary School (about 25 minutes by car from the hotel). Both venues are about 2 km away from the rocket launch site, so you can see the rocket launch up close.
※The image is an image.

Date and time of launch: From 11:00 to 11:20 on December 18, 2024 (Wed)　※It has been changed since December 15th.

Place of launch: Spaceport Kii

For more information, please refer to the following website.

Cairo's 2 launch support site