# Epsilon

> Japanese satellite launch rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q1135682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1135682)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsilon_(rocket))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/epsilon

## Summary
Epsilon is a Japanese solid-fuel rocket model designed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to launch satellites into outer space. It is classified as a launch vehicle and serves as a successor to previous solid rocket designs, often referred to as the Advanced Solid Rocket (ASR).

## Key Facts
- Designed and developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- Classified as a "rocket model" and a subclass of "launch vehicle."
- Originates from and is operated by Japan.
- Also known by the aliases Epsilon Launch Vehicle, Advanced Solid Rocket (ASR), and 次期固体ロケット.
- Used to carry a wide variety of payloads, including microsatellites, nanosatellites, and experimental satellites.
- Notable payloads include the Arase satellite (Van Allen belt study) and the Hisaki ultraviolet astronomy satellite.
- Supports international missions, having launched Vietnamese satellites such as MicroDragon and NanoDragon.

## FAQs
### Q: Who designed the Epsilon rocket?
A: The Epsilon rocket was designed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It is a Japanese-developed launch vehicle intended for efficient satellite deployment.

### Q: What types of satellites does Epsilon carry?
A: Epsilon carries a diverse range of payloads, including Japanese scientific satellites like Arase and Hisaki, technology demonstrators like RAPIS-1 and RAISE-2, and international microsatellites like the Vietnamese MicroDragon.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Epsilon launch vehicle?
A: Its primary purpose is to serve as a rocket used to carry payloads, specifically satellites, into outer space. It is designed to handle various classes of spacecraft, from standard satellites to smaller CubeSats and nanosatellites.

## Why It Matters
Epsilon is a critical component of Japan's space infrastructure, providing a dedicated platform for launching a wide range of scientific and experimental satellites. By serving as a launch vehicle for both domestic and international payloads, it facilitates advanced space research and technology demonstration. Its role is highlighted by the diversity of missions it supports, from studying the Van Allen belts with the Arase satellite to deploying ultraviolet astronomy tools like Hisaki. Furthermore, Epsilon supports the growing microsatellite and nanosatellite sectors, launching projects like the Vietnamese MicroDragon and various Japanese CubeSats like OrigamiSat-1 and NEXUS.

The vehicle is essential for testing new space technologies, as seen with the RAPIS-1 and RAISE series of demonstration satellites. By providing a reliable means to reach orbit for smaller payloads like ALE-1 and Hodoyoshi 2, Epsilon enables a broader range of participants—including universities and international partners like Vietnam—to conduct orbital missions. This capability allows for more frequent and cost-effective access to space, strengthening Japan's position in the global aerospace community and ensuring the continued evolution of solid-fuel rocket technology under the Advanced Solid Rocket (ASR) program.

## Notable For
- **Scientific Research Support:** Successfully launched the Arase satellite for studying the Van Allen belts and the Hisaki ultraviolet astronomy satellite.
- **International Collaboration:** Served as the launch vehicle for Vietnamese artificial satellites, including MicroDragon and NanoDragon.
- **Technology Demonstration:** Carried the RAPIS-1, RAISE-2, and RAISE-3 satellites, which are used for testing new space technologies.
- **Small-Scale Payload Capacity:** Capable of deploying specialized small-scale hardware such as the OrigamiSat-1 CubeSat and the WASEDA-SAT-ZERO nanosatellite.

## Body
### Classification and Design
Epsilon is a Japanese rocket model categorized as a launch vehicle. It was designed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and is often referred to in technical contexts as the Advanced Solid Rocket (ASR). Its primary function is the transport of payloads into outer space, specifically targeting the satellite market.

### Notable Payloads and Missions
The Epsilon rocket has been utilized for a diverse array of space missions:
*   **Scientific Observation:** It launched the Arase satellite to study Earth's Van Allen belts and the Hisaki satellite, a decommissioned ultraviolet astronomy tool.
*   **Technology Demonstrators:** The vehicle has carried several demonstration satellites, including RAPIS-1, RAISE-2, RAISE-3, and KOSEN-1.
*   **International Partnerships:** Epsilon has facilitated space access for Vietnam by launching the MicroDragon and NanoDragon satellites.
*   **Small-Scale Spacecraft:** The rocket frequently carries microsatellites and nanosatellites, such as ALE-1, Hibari, Mitsuba, and WASEDA-SAT-ZERO.

### Technical and Regional Context
As a Japanese-originated vehicle, Epsilon is part of the broader "launch vehicle" class of rockets. It is associated with numerous specific satellite projects, including the Small-JASMINE satellite and the ASNARO 2 observation satellite. The project is documented across multiple languages and platforms, including the Encyclopedia of China and Japanese-specific databases like Niconicopedia and Pixiv Encyclopedia.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Epsilon",
  "description": "Japanese satellite launch rocket designed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsilon_(rocket)",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30239"
  ],
  "additionalType": "http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q797476"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013