The Tanegashima Space Centre is Japan's major launch site. It is located on Tanegashima Island south of the main island of Kyushu. It has two launch pads: the Osaki pad is used for satellite launches, the Takesaki pad for smaller rocket launches. Rockets are assembled under a mobile service structure. The main launching rockets - NI, NII and HI - were developed using US rocket technology. A new site is being prepared for the latest HII launch vehicle. The Space Centre operates tracking and telemetry facilities on islands to the south-east, the Ogasawara and Christmas Downrange Stations.
