A Japanese launch site that plays a pivotal role for satellite launches among Japan’s space development activities. TNSC was established in 1969, when the original National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was formed. Located in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture, along the southeast coast of Tanegashima, it is the largest space-development facility in Japan and is known as the most beautiful rocket-launch complex in the world. Tanegashima launches satellites for weather, broadcasting, and communications, while scientific satellites and probes are launched from Uchinoura Space Centre.

Facilities at Tanegashima include the Takesaki Range (for small rockets), the Osaki Range (for J-I and H-IIA launch vehicles) the Masuda Tracking and Communication Station, the Nogi Radar Station, and the Uchugaoka Radar Station. TNSC also supports the Yoshinubo Launch Complex (a launch site for large-sized rockets), Spacecraft Test and Assembly Buildings, and the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building. Using the Yoshinubo facilities, a series of operations are performed: assembling launch vehicles, maintenance, inspections, final checks of satellites, loading satellites onto launch vehicles, launches, and tracking launch vehicles after lift-off.