Deshdrohi is a Bollywood Hindi film. It was produced by Kamaal Rashid Khan. It starred Kamaal Rashid Khan with Krishna Abhishek, Hrishitaa Bhatt, Gracy Singh and Zulfi Syed. Internet Movie Database (IMDb) rating is 1.7/10.[1]

Contents

  [hide] 

1   Plot 2   Controversy 3   References 4   External links

Plot[edit]

The theme of the film “Desh Drohi “ consists of politics, prostitution, pimp business, and corruption. At the start of the film a man named Raja arrives in Mumbai from uttar Pradesh searching for a watchmans job, after leaving his father and both neighbour and sweetheart, Neha, behind in his village in uttar Pradesh.

In Mumbai Raja meets Shekhar,the gangster, who works as a watchman and a pimp, and Sonia, who works for Baba Kadam, a drug dealer. At one point Raja helps Sonia escape from an attack by a group working for another drug dealer called Rajan Nayak, the enemy of Baba Kadam. The two eventually fall in love.

After realizing that living in Mumbai is particularly difficult for North Indians, Raja petitions Shrivastav, a North Indian politician who exploits common people for his political career, for help. The drug mafia of Mumbai city is assisted by politicians and the media want to reveal the corruption prevalent in the city.

Due to his involvement, Raja is marked for death by Rajan Nayak, who contracts a police inspector to kill both him and Sonia. However he fails and is killed. The police pursue Raja and Sonia, who are also running from Rajan Nayak. Raja attempts to get help from Shrivastav, to no avail, and even Sonia's boss, Baba Kadam, abandons the pair.

Pushed to the limit, Raja resolves to kill all involved, in which he is helped by Inspector Rohit Raghav, the new husband of Raja's village sweetheart, to kill Srivastva.

How Raja and Sonia will escape law and teach the criminals a lesson is the story of the film.[2]

Controversy[edit]

There were accusations that the movie was cashing in on the 2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra. The head of the Mumbai office of Central Board of Film Certification has opined that the movie has scenes that were derogatory to a particular community.[3] Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has expressed their protests against the movie. The Mumbai police served a notice for a special screening to find any objectionable content that might trigger unrest. Due to the protests and problems with exhibitors, the release date of the movie was postponed by a week from the original date of November 7.[4][5][6] The movie was released on 14 November, except in Maharashtra, where it was banned by the state government for 60 days under the Bombay Cinema Regulation Act. The producers of the film petitioned the Bombay High Court to lift the ban on the movie.[7] After a two-month ban it released on 23 January 2009 in Maharashtra.

KarnaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about a hero in the Hindu epic, the Mahābhārata. For other uses, see Karna (disambiguation).

Karna

Karna in battle

Spouse(s) Vrushali

Children Vrishasena, Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya,

Dvipata, Banasena, Prasena and Vrishaketu

Parent(s) Adhiratha (father)

Radha (mother)

Karna (Sanskrit: कर्ण�, IAST transliteration: Karṇa), originally known as Vasusena, is one of the central characters in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga (present day Bhagalpur and Munger). Karna was one of the greatest warrior whose martial exploits are recorded in the Mahābhārata and the only warrior believed to be able to defeat Arjuna in battle, an admiration expressed by Lord Krishnaand Bhishma within the body of this work.[1] Karna was the only warrior in the Mahabharata who single handedly successfully conducted Digvijay Yatra,conquering all kings in every direction in order to establish Duryodhana as the emperor of the world and to conduct the Vaishnava sacrifice.[2]

Karna was the son of Surya (a solar deity) and Kunti. He was born to Kunti before her marriage with Pandu. Karna was the closest friend of Duryodhana and fought on his behalf against the Pandavas (his brothers) in the famous Kurukshetra war. Karna fought against misfortune throughout his life and kept his word under all circumstances. Many admire him for his courage and generosity. It is believed that Karna founded the city ofKarnal, in present Haryana.[3] Karna,Mahabali,Harishchandra are the three most famous personalities in Hinduism based on the merits they earned by giving charity.They are often quoted for their sacrifice,courage,charity,valour and selflessness they exhibited for helping a fellow being

Contents

  [hide] 

1   Etymology 2   Story

o 2.1   Birth, education and curses o 2.2   Friendship with Duryodhana o 2.3   Hostilities with Pandavas o 2.4   Prelude to war o 2.5   Kurukshetra war o 2.6   Karna Parva o 2.7   Ascension to svarga

3   Karna's family 4   Themes and analysis 5   Secondary literature and media

o 5.1   Literature o 5.2   Film and theater

6   In popular culture 7   References

o 7.1   Notes o 7.2   Bibliography

8   Further reading 9   External links

EtymologyThe name he became renowned in the epic was Karna meaning the cutter or peeler of his own skin/natural armor.

Karna's other names according to Mahabharata are :

Radheya - Son of Radha Vaikarthana - The one who gave away his impenetrable natural armour & earrings to Indra. Also

mean the one who is related to or belonging to the Hindu solar deity, Surya Rashmirathi - One who rides the chariot of light Vasusena - Birth name meaning the one born with wealth,ie, golden Kavacha Kundala (natural

armour and ear rings). Suryaputra - Son of Surya Parashurama Shishya - Disciple of Parashurama Angaraj - King of Anga Vijaya Dhari - One who wields the celestial bow Vijaya Adhirathi - Son of Adhiratha Daanveer - The hero possessing undying charitable nature; Daanshoor - One who fought like a true warrior Vrisha - One who is truthful in speech, engaged in penances, observant of vows, kind even to

enemies. Vrisha also means bull, and Karna was referred to as bull among warriors by Vyasa) Souta - Son of Suta or belonging to charioteer caste Kaunteya - Son of Kunti

StoryBirth, education and curses

Surya, father of Karna, the Hindu Sun god.

As a young woman Kunti, the princess of the Kunti Kingdom, had been granted a boon by sage Durvasa to be able to invoke any deity to give her a child. Eager to test the power, while still unmarried, she called upon the solar deity Surya and was handed a son Karna wearing armour (Kavacha) and a pair of earrings (Kundala). Afraid of being an unwed mother Kunti, placed the baby in a basket and set him afloat on a river. The child was found by Adhiratha, a charioteer of King Dhritarashtra of Hastinapur. Adhiratha and his wife Radha raised the boy as their own son and named him Vasusena. He also came to be known as Radheya, the son of Radha.

Karna became interested in the art of warfare and approached Dronacharya, an established teacher who taught the Kuru princes. But he refused to take Karna as his student, since Karna was not a Kshatriya. After being refused by Dronacharya, Karna with his brother Shona's help started his own's education and appointed the sun god as his guru. But, Karna wanted to learn advanced skills of archery and hence he decided to learn from Parashurama, Dronacharya's own guru.[4]

As Parshurama only taught to Brahmins, Karna appeared before him as a Brahmin. Parashurama accepted him and trained him to such a point that he declared Karna to be equal to himself in the art of warfare and archery. On a day towards the end of his training Karna happened to offer Parashurama his lap so his guru could rest his head and nap. But while Parashurama was asleep, a bee stung Karna's thigh and despite the pain, Karna did not move, so as not to disturb his guru's sleep.In some versions,Lord Indra became afraid of the fighting prowess of Karna and he himself took the form of a bee and stung Karna's thigh in order to benefit his son Arjuna.[5] With blood oozing from his wound, Parashurama woke up at once deduced that Karna was not a Brahmin. Parashurama, who had sworn to teach Brahmins only, laid curse upon Karna that he would forget all the knowledge required to wield the divine weapon Brahmanda astra, at the moment of his greatest need. Upon Karna's pleading, Parshurama gave him the celestial weapon called Bhargavastra, along with his personal bow calledVijaya (bow), for being such a diligent student.

Karna was also cursed by a Brahmin for killing his cow while practising his skills with bow and arrows. The Brahmin got angry and cursed him that he would become helpless in the same way the innocent cow had become, by his chariot wheels getting stuck in the ground.[6] Folklore from Andhra Pradesh further relates that Karna once encountered a child who was crying over her pot of spiltghee. On asking her the reason for her dismay, she stated that she feared that her stepmother would be angry over her carelessness. Refusing to take new ghee from Karna, the child insisted that she wanted the same ghee. Taking pity on her, Karna took the soil mixed with ghee in his fist and squeezed it with all his might, so that the ghee dripped back into the pot. During this process, Karna heard the agonized voice of a woman. When he opened his fist, he realized that the voice was that of Bhoomidevi, the Earth goddess. She furiously chastised Karna for inflicting enormous pain on Mother Earth for the sake of a mere child and cursed him that at a very crucial moment in battle, his chariot wheel would be trapped as tightly as he had held that fistful of soil.[citation needed]

Friendship with Duryodhana

The coronation of Karna

To display the skills of the Kuru princes, guru Dronacharya arranged a friendly tournament. His student Arjuna, third of the Pandava brothers, was shown to be a particularly gifted archer. Karna arrived at this tournament uninvited and surpassing Arjuna's feats, challenged him to a duel. Kripacharya refused Karna his duel, asking first for his clan and kingdom; for according to the rules of duelling, only a prince could challenge Arjuna to a duel and due to his low birth, Karna was not allowed to fight Arjuna.He was further insulted by Bhima by comparing him to a stray dog, for his mixed caste and lineage. This incident marks the beginning of a feud between Karna and Pandavas.[7][8] Duryodhana, the eldest of the one-hundred sons of the king Dhritarashtra, knew that his cousins Pandavas were better at warfare. Seeing Karna as a chance to get on even terms with them he immediately offered Karna the throne of the kingdom of Anga, making him a king and hence eligible to fight a duel with Arjuna.[9] Neither of them knows that Karna is in fact Kunti's oldest son, born to (sun god) Surya. When Karna asked him what he could do to repay him, Duryodhana told him that all he wanted was his friendship.[10]

Karna was a loyal and true comrade to Duryodhana. He helped him while he took PrincessBhanumati (Mahabharata) of Kalingas in chariot to marry by battling with the rest of the suitors (many legendary rulers like Shishupala, Jarasandh, Bhishmaka, Vakra, Kapotaroman, Nila, Rukmi, Sringa, Asoka, Satadhanwan etc attended the ceremony) and easily defeated the pursuing Kings, who dejected and abandoned their pursuing after seeing his fighting prowess of Karna to protect his friend . Following his accession to the throne of Anga, Karna took an oath that anyone who approached him with a request, when he worshipped the sun, would not leave empty-handed.

Hostilities with Pandavas

Karna was a suitor for Draupadi at her swayamvara, or her choosing of a marriage partner. Unlike most other contenders, he was easily able to wield and string the bow, but Draupadi refused to allow him to take part,rejecting him for being a "suta-putra" - son of a charioteer.The entire kings and the assembled people insulted Karna for his low birth and only Duryodhana supported and argued for Karna. The Pandavas were also present in the swayamvara, disguised as Brahmins. Following the failure of the other princes, Arjunastepped into the ring and successfully hit the target, winning Draupadi's hand.After the marriage was over, the assembled Kings in the swayamvara argued that a Brahmin cannot attend the swayamvara and they took their weapons and attacked Arjuna disguised as Brahmin. Arjuna fought with all the assembled kings and defeated them easily except Karna. Karna entered the battle field to protect his fried Duryodhana and terrible battle was fought between

Karna and Arjuna who was disguised as Brahman. Karna never knew that the Brahman was Arjuna and this was the first time when these two ace archers fought each other.But Arjuna recognized Karna and the two Maharatha's fought each other. The battle was so intense that sky was filled with arrows and visibility was lost in the cloud of arrows.With both archers not gaining upper hand,they turn to use celestial weapons and sky and earth trembled due to the usage of celestial weapons.With battle continued neither of them gaining upper hand news came to Karna that his nine year old son Sudama was dying. Karna praised the skill of the Brahmin and compared it with the skill of Drona or Kripa. Not being intreseted in doing the sin of Brahmahatya i.e hurting or killing a Brahmin,which is considered as a grave sin as per scriptures Karna withdrew from the fight and rushed to his son Sudama.It was then revealed that Sudama was hit by an arrow send by the Brahmin warrior when fighting earlier with the other kings.The bystander, nine year old Sudama was deeply hurt by Arjuna's arrows and died in the hands of Karna.When Arjuna's identity was later revealed, Karna's feelings of hostile rivalry with him further intensified and sworn to kill Arjuna and his family.

After Shakuni won a game of dice by trickery, Draupadi, now queen to all five sons of King Pandu, including Arjuna, was dragged into the court by Dushasana. Duryodhana and his brothers attempted to strip her. Karna insulted Draupadi by saying that a woman with more than four husbands is nothing but a whore and that the Pandavas were all like sesame seeds removed from the kernel and she should now find some other husbands. On the spot, Bhima, another of the Pandava brothers, vowed that he would personally slaughter Duryodhana and his brothers in battle. Arjuna subsequently swore to kill Karna.[11]

Later after Pandavas were in exile, Karna took up the task of establishing Duryodhana as the Emperor. He commanded army that marched to different parts of the country to subjugate kings and made them swear allegiance to Duryodhana, the king of Hastinapuror else die in battle. In this military adventure, Karna waged wars and reduced to submission numerous kingdoms including those of the Kambojas, the Shakas, the Kekayas, the Avantyas, the Gandharas, the Madarakas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Panchalas, the Videhas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Vangas, the Nishadas, the Kalingas, the Vatsa, the Ashmakas, the Rishikas and numerous others including mlecchas and the forest tribes.[12]

Prelude to war

The Pandava elder brother Yudhisthira always considered Karna as the foremost warrior in the world.[13]

“Bhishma,Drona,Ashwatthama and the illustrious Kripa,are masters of all celestial weapons and devoted to the practice of virtue. I think they are incapable of being vanquished even by gods led by Vasava himself. There is again amongst them that mighty warrior Karna,impetuous, and ever wrathful, master of all weapons, and invincible, and encased in impenetrable mail.Without first vanquishing in battle all those foremost of men, unaided as thou art, how canst thou slay Duryodhana? O Vrikodara, I cannot sleep thinking of the lightness of hand of that Suta's son, who, I regard, is the foremost of all wielders of the bow! ”

Following failed peace negotiations with Duryodhana, Krishna is driven back to the Pandavas by Karna. Krishna then revealed to Karna that he is the eldest son of Kunti, and therefore, technically, the eldest Pandava. Krishna implored him to change sides and assures him that Yudhisthira would give the crown of Indraprastha to him; Draupadi who rejected him earlier will become his wife. Shaken from the discovery, Karna still refuses these offers over Duryodhana's friendship. Krishna is saddened, but appreciating Karna's sense of loyalty, accepted his decision, promising Karna that his lineage would remain a secret. In addition, Karna was elated to learn that his true father was none other than Surya.[14]

Indra, the king of the (Devas) and the father of Arjuna, realized that Karna would be invincible in battle and unable to be killed as long as he had his kavach and kundal. He approaches Karna as a poor Brahmin during Karna's sun-worship. Surya warned Karna of Indra's intentions, but Karna thanked Surya and explained that he was bound by his word and could not send anyone from his door empty-handed. When Indra approaches, Karna reveals that he knew the Brahmin's true identity but assured that he would never turn anyone away. Cutting the armor and earrings off his body, Karna handed them to Indra. For Karna's generosity Indra decided to reward him and Karna asked for Indra's powerful weapon, the Vasavi shakti. Indra granted the boon, with the stipulation that Karna could only use the weapon once.

As war approached, Kunti met Karna and in desperation to keep her children alive asked Karna to join the Pandavas. But Karna denies the offer again. Knowing that Arjuna was under the divine aegis of Krishna he would be invincible. Knowing that Karna will fight against Arjuna with a motive to kill, Kunti extracted couple of promises from Karna that he will not kill any of the Pandavas and against Arjuna he will not use a same celestial weapon twice. This particular request by Kunti as suggested by Lord Krishna led to the death of Karna in the war as he did not use Nagastra and Rudra-astra twice against Arjuna. Lord Krishna knew that Lord Parasurama gifted entire celestial weapons to Karna and Arjuna don't have any counter to many of these weapon. Karna requested his mother to keep their relationship a secret till his death as pandava brothers will not fight against their own brother if she reveals the truth to them, due to dharma and after his death she is supposed to reveal his birth identity to everyone and also promised that at the end of war she would still have five sons.

Kurukshetra war

Karna (left) kills Ghatotkacha (centre) as Arjuna (right) watches

Yudishthira wrestling with Karna

Arjuna kills Karna

Bhishma was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army. But giving the reason that Karna had humiliated Draupadi and disrespected his guru Parshuram, Bhishma refused to take him in the Kaurava army. He secretly knew of Karna’s lineage and hence did not want him to fight his own brother. Only after Bhishma fell on the eleventh day did Karna enter the war. Dronacharya took the commander-in-chief position on twelfth day and the thirteenth day ended with Abhimanyu’s (Arjun’s son) death in the specially organized Chakravyuha/Padmavyuha formation.

Uncharacteristically, the battle on fourteenth day extended into the dark hours. Taking advantage of that, Krishna introduced Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s half-Asura son, as asuras gained extraordinary power at night time. Ghatotkacha’s destroyed the Kaurava force and also injured Dronacharya. Seeing the desperate situation, Karna used his Vasava Shakti, that was the boon from Indra, against Ghatotkacha, thus killing him. Krishna however was pleased with the fact that the powerful weapon could not be used against Arjuna in future as Karna had only one chance to use it.Later Lord Krishna told Satyaki that he always applied his maya or illusion on Karna inorder to proctect Arjuna from Karna's celestial weapons.[15]

“I,however always used to stupefy the son of Radha.It was for this that he did not hurl the dart at Pandu's son,owning white steeds.As long as I could not baffle that means of Phalguna's death,I had neither sleep,nor joy in my heart,O foremost of warriors!.Beholding that dart,therefore,rendered futile through Ghatotkacha,O bull amongst the Sinis(Satyaki),I regarded Dhananjaya today to have been rescued from within the jaws of Death.It was for this that I had despatched the Rakshasa unto Karna for battle.None else was capable of withstanding, in the night, Karna in battle. ”

Karna Parva

Karna's wheel is stuck

Karna Parva, the eighth book of the Mahābhārata, describes sixteenth and seventeenth days of the Kurukshetra war where post Dronacharya’s death Karna took over as the commander-in-chief. Anticipating a likely battle to the death between Karna and Arjuna, Krishna warned Arjuna calling Karna to be the foremost of the heroes.[16][17]

“Hear in brief, O son of Pandu! I regard the mighty Karna as thy equal, or perhaps, thy superior! In energy he is equal to fire. As regards speed, he is equal to the impetuosity of the wind. In wrath, he resembles the Destroyer himself. Endued with might, he resembles a lion in the formation of his body. He is eight ratnis in stature. His arms are large. His chest is broad. He is

”

invincible. He is sensitive. He is a hero. He is, again, the foremost of heroes. He is exceedingly handsome. Possessed of every accomplishment of a warrior, he is a dispeller of the fears of friends. No one, not even the Gods with Vasava at their head, can slay the son of Radha. No one possessed of flesh and blood, not even the Gods fighting with great care, not all the warriors (of the three worlds) fighting together can vanquish the son of the chariot-rider.

As promised to Kunti, Karna aimed at killing only Arjuna. On the sixteenth day, he fought with all the Pandava brothers but Arjuna and spared each one of them. After defeating them, he ordered his charioteer Shalya to move towards Arjuna. He used Nagastra, the same celestial weapon that was used by Indrajith against Rama in Ramayana, in an attempt to kill Arjuna, but Krishna saved Arjuna from certain death by lowering their chariot wheel into the earth. Karna and Arjuna then waged a rough war against each other. As promised to Kunti, Karna used a celestial weapon only once against Arjuna. Karna had a chance to kill Arjuna but spared the latter as the sun was about to set.

On the seventeenth day of battle the two foes faced each other once more. This battle between Arjuna and Karna is perhaps the most cataclysmic and awesome of the great epic. The warriors on the battlefield and the devas in heaven watched the battle in speechless amazement and terrified admiration of the strength and skill of these greatest of warriors. On the seventeenth day, Karna cut the string of Arjuna’s bow many times. The epic states that initially, the battle was even between the two foes, but then Karna's chariot wheel was trapped in the mud as a result of the curse he received earlier from a Brahmin. He still defended himself, but at the crucial moment forgot the incantations to invoke Brahmanda astra, as a result of his guru Parshurama's curse. Karna got down from his chariot to free the wheel and asked Arjuna to pause, reminding him of the etiquette of war. But Krishna reminded Arjuna of all the incidents - Abhimanyu’s death, the Laksha-Griha conspiracy, Draupadi’s insult and others - and attacked Karna while he was trying to lift his sunken chariot wheel. Karna defended himself and invoked Rudraastra against Arjuna and this astra hit Arjuna on his chest.[18] Arjuna lost his grip on his bow, Gandiva, which fell down from his hand for the first time and Arjuna fell down in a swoon. Following the rules of engagement of war, Karna did not try to kill him but instead tried to utilize the time in extracting the wheels of his chariot. Arjuna recovered and using the Anjalika weapon decapitated the weaponless Karna, who was still trying to lift the sunken chariot wheel. Though it was highly forbidden according to the rules of engagement of the war to attack a weaponless warrior or to attack an enemy from the back, Arjuna was spurred by Lord Krishna to do so. It was later revealed that Karna could be killed only when all the 3 curses acted upon him, and this made Krishna employ deceit to kill Karna.

Later, when it was revealed that Karna was actually Arjuna's older brother, Arjuna became haunted by Karna's killing, and took it upon himself to treat Vrishakethu, Karna's only remaining son, with great care.[citation needed]

Another part of this event is that Karna's guru Parasurama appears in Karna's dream during the period of the Kurukshetra War and when Karna asks him to release him from Parasurama's curse, Parashurama revealed that he had known all along Karna was a Kshatriya, but because he was a worthy student Parashurama had instructed him regardless. The avatar explained to Karna that theBrahmanda astra had to fail him when he needed it most. If he killed Arjuna, Duryodhana would be king instead of Yudhishthira,[19]and chaos would ensue. Parashurama asked Karna to accept his curse and asked him to die at the hands of Arjuna,so that the world might live in peace.[8] Karna accepted his gurus words and in return the grateful guru, Parashurama blessed Karna with immortal glory and everlasting fame. Also,Lord Krishna asks Karna to accept the above destiny to enable Dharma to triumph.Thus Karna submits to be killed by Arjuna so that Dharma may triumph.

In some versions as Karna lay dying on the battlefield, his father Surya and Arjuna's father Indra fell into a debate as to who among their sons was superior and decided to test Karna's generosity and appeared before him as Brahmins asking for alms. Karna said that at this point he had nothing to

give them while one of the Brahmins remark that he has some gold in his teeth which could be of use to them. Karna on realizing this promptly took a stone and broke his teeth handing them over to the Brahmins,thus proving his superiority.[20] In other versions of the epic, Krishna appears as a Brahmin and asks for Karna's punya or merit and once Karna gifted his life's Punya to him, Krishna rewarded Karna with the Darshan of Krishna's Vishwaroopa. Karna's wife Vrushali went sati on Karna's pyre after his death. A play is staged in South India known as Kattaikkuttu which is based on the events that occurred in Karna's life on the day of his death.[20]

Following the end of the war, Tarpan vidhi were performed for all the fallen. Kunti then requested her sons to perform the rites for Karna and revealed the truth of his birth. The brothers were shocked to find that they had committed fratricide. Yudhishtira, in particular, was furious with his mother and laid a curse upon all women that they should never thereafter be able to keep a secret.[21]

Ascension to svarga

The Mahabharata mentions that after his death in the Kurukshetra war, Karna's soul ascended to Suryalok (the abode of his father, Sun god), and along with his sons and "attained" the "state" of a god.[22][23]

Karna's familyAccording to the Mahabharata, Karna was married to Vrushali. He had nine sons; Vrishasena, Vrishaketu, Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata, Banasena and Prasena; eight of them took part in the Kurukshetra war. Prasena was killed bySatyaki, Shatrunjaya, Vrishasena and Dvipata by Arjuna, Banasena by Bhima, Chitrasena, Satyasena and Sushena by Nakula. Vrishakethu was his only son who survived the war as he was too young to participate in the war.[24]

[25] After the war when Pandavas were made aware of Karna's lineage, Vrishakethu was offered to be the King of Indraprasth, being the son of their eldest brother. He was under the patronage of Arjuna and took part in various battles that preceded the Ashvamedh yagna.[citation needed]

Themes and analysisWithin the various Hindu mythologies, Karna draws resemblance with various other characters. The attributed author of Mahabharata, sage Vyasa, is also noted to be born from an unwed union of Satyavati and sage Parashara, just the way Karna is born before Kunti's marriage.[26] Philologist Georges Dumézil also compares him with his father Surya in the sense that he too has two mothers, Kunti and Radha, just the way Surya in Vedas has two mothers, the night and the dawn.[27] German indologist Georg von Simson, notes the similarities in the names of Karna and of the Kumbhakarna, the demon brother of the main antagonist Ravana of the epic Ramayana. He also notes that both Karna and Kumbhakarna did not take part in the great wars of their respective epics at the start.[28] Scholars internationally have also drawn parallels with various European mythologies. Karna's kawach (armour) has been compared with that of Achilles's Styx-coated body and with Irish warrior Ferdiad's horny skin that could not be pierced. He has been compared to the Greek character Achilles on various occasions as they both have powers but lack status.[29]

Secondary literature and mediaLiterature

Rabindranath Tagore wrote a poem, "Karna Kunti Sangbad" based on the meeting of Karna and Kunti before the war. Karna also has been topic of various contemporary literary works. The Marathi books of Radheya (1973) authored by Ranjit Desai and Mrityunjay(1967) authored by Shivaji Sawant bring forth Karna's private and personal life on paper.[30] Sawant also received Moortidevi Award, instituted by Bharatiya Jnanpith, for his work[31] and was translated into nine languages.[32] Ramdhari Singh Dinkar in 1978 published an epic poem Rashmirathi (translation: One who rides

the Chariot of light, 1952) which narrates Karna's life.[33] The poem has later also been adapted as play.[34]

Film and theater

The 1964 epic Tamil film Karnan depicted his life and friendship with Duryodhana, starring Sivaji Ganesan in title role. In 1977, the Telugu movie Daana Veera Soora Karna starred the Indian film actor, director and producer N. T. Rama Rao. Shyam Benegal's 1981 film Kalyug adapted the Mahabharat as a conflict between rival business houses with Shashi Kapoor playing Karan, the character based on Karna. One of the songs from the 1991 Indian movie Thalapathi, based upon the friendship between Karna andDuryodhana, has been voted number 4 in the BBC's 'World's Top Ten Revealed' worldwide music poll.[35] In Peter Brook's filmed version of the epic (1989), Karna was played by British actor Jeffery Kissoon. Recently in 2010, Prakash Jha directed the Bollywoodfilm Raajneeti, a fictional adaptation of the Mahabharata, set within a backdrop of Indian politics and starring the actor Ajay Devgan, playing a character based on Karna.[36] Karna was portrayed by Pankaj Dheer in 1988, in the television series Mahabharat, for which he is popularly known.[37] Aham Sharma portrayed the role of Karna in the Mahabharat (2013 TV series) and won the award for Best Actor Supporting at Indian Telly Awards for the same role.[38]

South Indian film actor Mohanlal performed Karna on the stage in Karnabharam, a Sanskrit play that was premiered in New Delhi in 2001 as part of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav directed by Kavalam Narayana Panicker. The play depicts Karna's mental agony a day before the Kurukshetra War, as he thinks about his past and his faith.[39]

In popular cultureKarna, synonyms like Karan,Karnan is one of the most popular choice of name for Hindu male child in Indian subcontinent.This name is believed to bring glory and fame as per the blessing on it by sage Parashurama.[40]

he Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (独立行政法人宇宙航空研究開発機構Dokuritsu-gyōsei-

hōjin Uchū Kōkū Kenkyū Kaihatsu Kikō?, literally "Independent Administrative Institution on

Aerospace Research and Development "), or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through

the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003.

JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and

is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned

exploration of the Moon.[2] Its motto is One JAXA[3] and its corporate slogan isExplore to

Realize (formerly Reaching for the skies, exploring space).[4]

Contents

  [hide] 

1 History 2 Organization 3 Rockets 4 Successes 5 Launch development and missions

o 5.1 Rocket historyo 5.2 Early H-IIA missions

6 Lunar and interplanetary missionso 6.1 Small body exploration: Hayabusa missiono 6.2 Solar sail researcho 6.3 Lunar explorations

7 Astronomy programo 7.1 Infrared astronomyo 7.2 X-ray astronomyo 7.3 Solar astronomyo 7.4 Radio astronomy

8 Technology testso 8.1 ETS-VIII and WINDSo 8.2 OICETS and INDEX

9 Earth observation programmeo 9.1 ALOSo 9.2 Rainfall observationo 9.3 Monitoring of carbon dioxideo 9.4 GCOM series

10 Satellites for other agencies 11 Other JAXA satellites currently in use 12 Finished missions 13 Future missions

o 13.1 2009 and beyond

o 13.2 Launch schedule 13.2.1 FY 2010 13.2.2 FY 2011 13.2.3 FY 2012 13.2.4 FY 2013 13.2.5 Other missions

o 13.3 New orientation of JAXAo 13.4 Developing projectso 13.5 Plans

14 Human space program 15 Supersonic aircraft development 16 Reusable launch vehicles 17 Other space agencies in Japan 18 See also 19 Notes 20 External links

History[edit]

JAXA Kibo, the largest module of the ISS.

On 1 October 2003, three organizations were merged to form the new JAXA: Japan's Institute of

Space and Astronautical Science (or ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL),

and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). JAXA was formed as anIndependent

Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and

Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).[5]

Before the merger, ISAS was responsible for space and planetary research, while NAL was focused

on aviation research. NASDA, which was founded on 1 October 1969, had developedrockets,

satellites, and also built the Japanese Experiment Module. The old NASDA headquarters were

located at the current site of the Tanegashima Space Center, on Tanegashima Island, 115

kilometers south of Kyūshū. NASDA also trained Japanese astronauts, who flew with the USSpace

Shuttles.[6]

In 2012 new legislation extended JAXA's remit from peaceful purposes only to include some military

space development, such as missile early warning systems. Political control of JAXA passed from

MEXT to the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office through a new Space Strategy Office.[7]

Organization[edit]

Head Office

Tanegashima Space Center

JAXA is composed of the following organizations.

Space Transportation Mission Directorate

Satellite Applications Mission Directorate I

Satellite Applications Mission Directorate II

Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate

Aerospace Research and Development Directorate

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)

Institute of Aeronautical Technology

JAXA has research centers in many locations in Japan, and some offices overseas. Its headquarters

are in Chōfu, Tokyo. It also has

Earth Observation Research Center  (EORC), Tokyo

Earth Observation Center  (EOC) in Hatayama

Noshiro Testing Center  (NTC) – Established in 1962. It carries out development and testing of

rocket engines.

Sanriku Balloon Center  (SBC) – Balloons have been launched from this site since 1971.

Kakuda Space Propulsion Center  (KSPC) – Leads the development of rocket engines. Works

mainly with development of liquid fuel engines.

Sagamihara Campus  (ISAS) – Development of experimental equipment for rockets and

satellites. Also administrative buildings.

Tanegashima Space Center  - currently the launch site for the H-IIA and H-IIB rockets.

Tsukuba Space Center  (TKSC) in Tsukuba. This is the center of Japan's space network. It is

involved in research and development of satellites and rockets, and tracking and controlling of

satellites. It develops experimental equipment for the Japanese Experiment Module ("Kibo").

Training of astronauts also takes place here. For International Space Station operations, the

Japanese Flight Control Team is located at the Space Station Integration & Promotion Center

(SSIPC) in Tsukuba. SSIPC communicates regularly with ISS crewmembers via S-band audio.[8]

Uchinoura Space Center  - currently the launch site for the Epsilon rocket.

Rockets[edit]

JAXA uses the H-IIA (H "two" A) rocket from the former NASDA body to launch engineering test

satellites, weather satellites, etc. For science missions like X-ray astronomy, JAXA used the M-

V ("Mu-five") solid-fueled rocket from the former ISAS until its retirement in 2006, and is now

developing the Epsilon rocket replacement. For experiments in the upper atmosphere JAXA uses

the SS-520, S-520, and S-310 sounding rockets.

Successes[edit]

Prior to the establishment of JAXA, ISAS had been most successful in its space program in the field

of X-ray astronomy during the 1980s and 1990s. Another successful area for Japan has been Very

Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) with the HALCA mission. Additional success was achieved with

solar observation and research of the magnetosphere, among other areas.

NASDA was mostly active in the field of communication satellite technology. However, since the

satellite market of Japan is completely open, the first time a Japanese company won a contract for a

civilian communication satellite was in 2005. Another prime focus of the NASDA body is

Earth climate observation.

JAXA was awarded the Space Foundation's John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration

in 2008.[9]

Launch development and missions[edit]

H-IIA & H-IIB

Rocket history[edit]

Japan launched its first satellite, Ōsumi, in 1970, using ISAS' L-4S rocket. Prior to the merger, ISAS

used small solid-fueled launch vehicles, while NASDA developed larger liquid-fueled launchers. In

the beginning, NASDA used licensed American models. The first model of liquid-fuelled launch

vehicle indigenously developed in Japan was the H-II, introduced in 1994. However, at the end of

the 1990s, with two H-II launch failures, Japanese rocket technology began to face criticism.

Early H-IIA missions[edit]

Japan's first space mission under JAXA, an H-IIA rocket launch on 29 November 2003, ended in

failure due to stress problems. After a 15 month hiatus, JAXA performed a successful launch of an

H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, placing a satellite into orbit on 26 February 2005.

Lunar and interplanetary missions[edit]

Japan's first missions beyond Earth orbit were the 1985 Halley comet observation

satellites Suisei and Sakigake. To prepare for future missions, ISAS tested Earth swing by orbits

with the Hiten mission in 1990. The first Japanese interplanetary mission was the Mars

Orbiter Nozomi (Planet-B), which was launched in 1998. It reached its target in 2003, but orbit

injection had to be given up. Currently interplanetary missions remain at the ISAS group under the

JAXA umbrella. However for FY 2008 JAXA is planning to set up an independent working group

within the organization. New head for this group will be Hayabusa project manager Kawaguchi.[10] Active Mission: Akatsuki, IKAROS Under Development: BepiColombo, Hayabusa 2?

Small body exploration: Hayabusa mission[edit]

Hayabusa

On 9 May 2003, Hayabusa (meaning, Peregrine falcon), was launched from an M-V rocket. The goal

of the mission was to collect samples from a small near-Earth asteroid named 25143 Itokawa. The

craft rendezvoused with the asteroid in September 2005. It was confirmed that the spacecraft

successfully landed on the asteroid in November 2005, after some initial confusion regarding the

incoming data. Hayabusa returned to Earth with samples from the asteroid on 13 June 2010.

See also: Hayabusa 2

Solar sail research[edit]Main article: solar sail

On 9 August 2004, ISAS successfully deployed two prototype solar sails from a sounding rocket. A

clover type sail was deployed at 122 km altitude and a fan type sail was deployed at 169 km altitude.

Both sails used 7.5 micrometer thick film.

ISAS tested a solar sail again as a sub payload to the Astro-F (Akari) mission on 22 February 2006.

However the solar sail did not deploy fully. ISAS tested a solar sail again as a sub payload of

the Solar-B launch at 23 September 2006, but contact with the probe was lost. The IKAROS solar

sail was launched on 21 May 2010. The solar sail deployed successfully. The goal is to have a solar

sail mission to Jupiter after 2010.

Lunar explorations[edit]

After Hiten in 1990, ISAS planned a lunar exploration mission LUNAR-A but after delays due to

technical problems, the project was terminated in January 2007. The seismometer penetrator design

for Lunar-A may be reused in future mission.

On 14 September 2007, JAXA succeeded in launching lunar orbit explorer Kaguya, also known as

SELENE (costing 55 billion yen including launch vehicle), the largest such mission since the Apollo

program, on an H-2A rocket. Its mission is to gather data on themoon's origin and evolution. It

entered into a lunar orbit on 4 October 2007.[11][12] After 1 year and 8 months it impacted the lunar

surface on 10 June 2009 at 18:25 UTC.

Astronomy program[edit]

See also: Scientific research on the ISS

The first Japanese astronomy mission was x-ray satellite Hakucho (Corsa-B), which was launched in

1979. Later ISAS moved into solar observation, radio astronomy through Space VLBI and infrared

astronomy. Active Mission: Suzaku, Akari, Hinode Under Development: ASTRO-G, ASTRO-H

Infrared astronomy[edit]

AKARI (Astro-F)

ASTRO-E

Japan's first infrared astronomy mission was the 15 cm IRTS telescope which was part of

theSFU multipurpose satellite in 1995. IRTS scanned during its one month lifetime around 7% of the

sky before SFU got brought back to Earth by the Space Shuttle. During the 1990s JAXA also gave

ground support for the ESA Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) infrared mission.

The next step for JAXA was the AKARI spacecraft, with the pre-launch designation ASTRO-F. This

satellite was launched on 21 February 2006. Its mission is infrared astronomy with a 68 cm

telescope. This is the first all sky survey since the first infrared mission IRAS in 1983. (A

3.6 kg nanosatellite named CUTE-1.7 was also released from the same launch vehicle.)[13]

JAXA is also doing further R&D for increasing the performance of its mechanical coolers for its future

infrared mission SPICA. This would enable a warm launch without liquid helium. SPICA has the

same size as the ESA Herschel Space Observatory mission, but is planned with a temperature of

just 4.5 K to be much colder. The launch is planned for the year 2015, however the mission is not yet

fully funded. Also ESA and NASA might contribute an instrument each.[14]

X-ray astronomy[edit]

Starting from 1979 with Hakucho (CORSA-B), Japan achieved for nearly 20 years continuous

observation with its Hinotori, Tenma, Ginga and Asuka (ASTRO-A to D) x-ray observation satellites.

However in the year 2000 the launch of Japan's fifth x-ray observation satelliteASTRO-E failed (as it

failed at launch it never received a proper name).

Then on 10 July 2005, JAXA was finally able to launch a new X-ray astronomy mission named

Suzaku (ASTRO-E II). This launch was important for JAXA, because in the five years since the

launch failure of the original ASTRO-E satellite, Japan was without an x-ray telescope. Three

instruments were included in this satellite: an X-ray spectrometer (XRS), an X-ray imaging

spectrometer (XIS), and a hard X-ray detector (HXD). However, the XRS was rendered inoperable

due to a malfunction which caused the satellite to lose its supply of liquid helium.

The next planned x-ray mission is the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI). It will continuously

monitors astronomical X-ray objects over a broad energy band (0.5 to 30 keV). MAXI will be installed

on the Japanese external module of the ISS.[15] After this mission JAXA plans to launch ASTRO-H,

also known under the name NeXT, in the summer of 2013.

See also: ASTRO-H

Solar astronomy[edit]

Japan's solar astronomy started in the early 80s with the launch of the Hinotori (ASTRO-A) x-ray

mission. The Hinode (SOLAR-B) spacecraft, the follow-on to the Japan/US/UK Yohkoh (SOLAR-A)

spacecraft, was launched on 23 September 2006.[16][17] A SOLAR-C can be expected sometime after

2010. However no details are worked out yet other than it will not be launched with the former ISASs

Mu rockets. Instead H-2A from Tanegashima could launch it. As H-2A is more powerful SOLAR-C

could either be heavier or be stationed at L1 (Lagrange point 1).

Radio astronomy[edit]

In 1998 Japan launched the HALCA (Muses-B) Mission, the world first spacecraft dedicated to

create SPACE VLBI observations of Pulsars among others. To do so, ISAS set up a ground network

around the world through international cooperation. The observation part of the mission lasted until

2003 and the satellite was retired at the end of 2005. In FY 2006 Japan funded the ASTRO-G as the

succeeding mission. Launch is planned for FY 2012.

For details see:

ASTRO-G HALCA

Technology tests[edit]

One of the primary duties of the former NASDA body was the testing of new space technologies,

mostly in the field of communication. The first test satellite was ETS-I,launched in 1975. However

during the 1990s NASDA was hit by bad luck with the problems surrounding the ETS-VI and

COMETS missions.

Testing of communication technologies remains as one of the Jaxas key duties in cooperation

with NICT. Active Mission: ETS-VIII,WINDS, Index Under Development: QZSS-

1 Retired: OICETS

ETS-VIII and WINDS[edit]

To upgrade Japan's communication technology the Japanese state launched the i-Space initiative

with the ETS-VIII and WINDS missions.[18]

ETS-VIII was launched on 18 December 2006. The purpose of ETS-VIII is to test communication

equipment with two very large antennas and an atomic clock test. On 26 December both antennas

were successfully deployed. This didn't come unexpected, since JAXA tested the deployment

mechanism before with the LDREX-2 Mission, which was launched on 14 October with the

European Ariane 5. The test was successful. The mission of WINDS is to create the worlds fastest

satellite internet connection. WINDS was launched in February 2008.

OICETS and INDEX[edit]

On 24 August 2005, JAXA launched the experimental satellites OICETS and INDEX with the Dnepr

rocket. OICETS mission is to test optical links with the European Space Agency (ESA)

satellite ARTEMIS, which is around 40,000 km away from OICETS. The experiment was successful

on 9 December, when the link could be established. In March 2006 Jaxa could establish with

OICETS the worldwide first optical links between a LEO satellite and a ground station first in Japan

and in June 2006 with a mobile station in Germany.

INDEX is a small 70 kg satellite for testing various equipment and for a small aurora observation

mission. The satellite is currently in the extended mission phase.

Earth observation programme[edit]

Japan's first Earth observation satellites were MOS-1a and MOS-1b launched in 1987 and 1990.

During the 1990s and the new millennium this programme came under heavy fire, because both

Adeos (Midori) and Adeos 2 (Midori 2) satellites failed after just 10 months in orbit.

Active Mission: ALOS, GOSAT Under Development: GCOM-W, GCOM-C, ALOS 2 SAR

ALOS[edit]

MTSAT-1

In January 2006, JAXA successfully launched the Advanced Land Observation

Satellite(ALOS/Daichi). Communication between ALOS and the ground station in Japan will be done

through the Kodama Data Relay Satellite, which was launched during 2002. This project is under

intense pressure due to the shorter than expected lifetime of the ADEOS II (Midori) Earth

Observation Mission. For the following on mission JAXA plans to split the mission into a radar

satellite and an optical satellite. ALOS 2 SAR is currently planned for the winter of FY 2012.

Rainfall observation[edit]

Since Japan is an island nation and gets struck by typhoons every year, research about the

dynamics of the atmosphere is a very important issue. For this reason Japan launched in 1997

the TRMM mission in cooperation with NASA, to observe the tropical rainfall seasons. JAXA and

NASA are planning a successor to the TRMM mission. However because of NASA budget problems

the launch date of the GPM project got pushed back to the year 2013. For further research NASDA

although launched the ADEOS and ADEOS II missions in 1996 and 2003. However due to various

reasons both satellites had a much shorter than expected life term.

Monitoring of carbon dioxide[edit]

At the end of the 2008 fiscal year, JAXA launched the satellite GOSAT (Greenhouse Gas Observing

SATellite) to help scientists determine and monitor the density distribution of carbon dioxide in

the atmosphere. The satellite is being jointly developed by JAXA and Japan's Ministry of the

Environment. JAXA is building the satellite while the Ministry is in charge of the data that will be

collected. Since the number of ground-based carbon dioxide observatories cannot monitor enough

of the world's atmosphere and are distributed unevenly throughout the globe, the GOSAT may be

able to gather more accurate data and fill in the gaps on the globe where there are no observatories

on the ground. Sensors for methane and other greenhouse gasses are also being considered for the

satellite, although the plans are not yet finalized. The satellite weighs approximately 1650 kg and is

expected to have a life span of 5 years.

GCOM series[edit]

Next funded earth observation mission after GOSAT is the GCOM earth observation programme as

a successor to ADEOS II (Midori) and the Aqua mission. To reduce the risk and for a longer

observation time the mission will be split into smaller satellites. Altogether GCOM will be a series of

six satellites. First launch, GCOM-W is scheduled for February 2012 with the H-IIA. Second launch

GCOM-C is currently planned for February 2014.

Satellites for other agencies[edit]

For weather observation Japan launched on February 2005 the Multi-Functional Transport Satellite

1R (MTSAT-1R). The success of this launch was critical for Japan, since the original MTSAT-1

couldn't be put into orbit because of a launch failure with the H-2 rocket in 1999. Since then Japan

relied for weather forecasting on an old satellite which was already beyond its useful life term and on

American systems.

On 18 February 2006, JAXA, as head of the H-IIA at this time, successfully launched the MTSAT-2

aboard a H-2A rocket. MTSAT-2 is the backup to the MTSAT-1R. The MTSAT-2 uses the DS-2000

satellite bus developed by Mitsubishi Electric.[19] The DS-2000 is also used for the DRTS Kodama,

ETS-VIII and the Superbird 7 communication satellite, making it the first commercial success for

Japan.

As a secondary mission both the MTSAT-1R and MTSAT-2 help to direct air traffic.

Other JAXA satellites currently in use[edit]

Exos-D (Akebono) Aurora Observation, since 1989.

GEOTAIL  magnetosphere observation satellite (since 1992)

DRTS  (Kodama) Data Relay Satellite, since 2002. (Projected Life Span is 7 years)

On going joint missions with NASA are the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM),

the Aqua Earth Observation Satellite.

Finished missions[edit]

OICETS , Technology Demonstration 2005–2009 (retired)

SELENE , Moon probe 2007–2009 (retired)

Micro Lab Sat 1 , Small engineering mission, launch 2002. (retired 27 September 2006)

HALCA , Space VLBI 1997–2005 (retired)

Nozomi , Mars Mission 1998–2003 (failed)

MDS-1 , Technology Demonstration 2002–2003 (retired)

ADEOS 2 , (Midori 2) Earth Observation 2002–2003 (lost)

Future missions[edit]

HTV-1

As JAXA shifted away from international efforts beginning in 2005, plans are developing for

independent space missions, such as a proposed manned mission to the moon.

2009 and beyond[edit]

This section is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent

events or newly available information. (November 2010)

On 23 February 2008 JAXA launched the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and

Demonstration Satellite (WINDS), also called "KIZUNA." WINDS will facilitate experiments with

faster internet connections. The launch, using H-IIA launch vehicle 14, took place from

the Tanegashima Space Center.[20]

On 10 September 2009 the first H-IIB rocket was successfully launched, delivering the HTV-

1 freighter to resupply the International Space Station.[21]

Another project is the Global Precipitation Measurement/Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar

(GPM/DPR) which is a joint development with NASA. This mission is the successor to the highly

successful TRMM mission. JAXA will develop the radar and provide the launch vehicle. Other

countries/agencies like China, India, ESA etc. will provide the subsatellites. The aim of this mission

is to measure global rainfall. However because of NASA budget limitations this project was pushed

back to 2010.

In the year 2009 JAXA plans to launch the first satellite of the Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS),

a subsystem of the global positioning system (GPS). Two others are expected to follow later. If

successful, one satellite will be in a zenith position over Japan full-time. The QZSS mission is the

last scheduled major independent mission for JAXA, as no major civilian projects were funded after

that for now. The only exception is the IGS programme which will be continued beyond 2008.

However it seems Japan is pressing forward now with the GCOM earth observation satellites as

successors to the ADEOS missions. First launch is planned for 2010. In 2009 Japan also plans to

launch a new version of the IGS with an improved resolution of 60 cm.

Launch schedule[edit]

First launch of the H-IIB and the HTV is 1 September 2009. After the first flight one HTV launch is

planned during each FY until 2015. (If not mentioned otherwise launch vehicle for the following

missions is the H-IIA.)

FY 2010[edit]

H-II Transfer Vehicle , Unmanned resupply spacecraft, launch: Winter, 2010

Quasi Zenith Satellite System , launch: Aug, 2010

Akatsuki , probe to Venus, launch: May, 2010

IKAROS , Solar-sail Technology Demonstration satellite, launch: May, 2010

FY 2011[edit]

GCOM-W , Climate Observation satellite, launch: Feb, 2012

FY 2012[edit]

ALOS 2 SAR , Earth Observation satellite, launch: Winter 2012

ASTRO-G  (VSOP-2) successor to the Halca mission, launch: Summer 2012

TOPS Telescope Observatory for Planets on Small-satellite, launch: Feb, 2012

FY 2013[edit]

GPM , successor to the TRMM joint NASA mission

BepiColombo , joint ESA mission to Mercury, launch: 2013 (LV: Ariane 5)

ASTRO-H  x-ray observatory, launch: summer 2013.

GCOM-C , Climate Observation satellite, launch: Feb, 2014

Other missions[edit]

For the 2012 ESA EarthCare mission, JAXA will provide the radar system on the satellite. JAXA is

also providing the Light Particle Telescope(LPT) for the 2008 Jason 2 satellite by the French CNES.

JAXA will provide the Auroral Electron Sensor (AES) for the Taiwanese FORMOSAT-5.[7]

SmartSat-1 , small communication test and sun corona observation, Mission status unclear

XEUS  joint X-Ray telescope with ESA, launch after 2015.

Sohla-2 Small PETSAT Demonstration Satellite

New orientation of JAXA[edit]

Planning interplanetary research missions can take up to seven years, such as the ASTRO-E. Due

to the lag time between these interplanetary events and mission planning time, opportunities to gain

new knowledge about the cosmos might be lost. To prevent this, JAXA plans on using smaller, faster

missions from 2010 onwards. JAXA is developing a new solid-fueled rocket, the Epsilon, to replace

the retired M-V.

Developing projects[edit]

IKAROS  (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun), a small size powered-

solar sail experimental spacecraft. Future mission will use solar sail for Jupiter and Trojan

asteroids exploration.

Plans[edit]

Selene-2 , a moon landing mission

Hayabusa 2 , for launch in 2014–2015 for target 1999JU3

Hayabusa Mk2/Marco Polo

Human Lunar Systems, conceptual system study on the future human lunar outpost

ALOS-2 , earth observation

SPICA , a 3,5 meter infrared telescope to be placed at L2

JASMINE , infrared telescope for measuring the universe

DIOS , small scale x-ray observation

Space Solar Power System (SSPS), space-based solar power prototype launch in 2020, aiming

for a full power system in 2030[22]

Human space program[edit]

The Spacelab-J shuttle flight, funded by Japan, included several tons of Japanese science research equipment

Japan has ten astronauts but has not yet developed its own manned spacecraft and is not currently

developing one officially. A potentially manned space shuttle-spaceplane HOPE-Xproject launched

by the conventional space launcher H-II was developed for several years (including test flights

of Hyflex/OREX prototypes) but was postponed. The simpler manned capsule Fuji was proposed but

not adopted. Projects for single-stage to orbit, horizontal takeoff reusable launch vehicle and landing

ASSTS and the vertical takeoff and landing Kankoh-maru  also exist but have not been adopted.

The first Japanese citizen to fly in space was Toyohiro Akiyama, a journalist sponsored byTBS, who

flew on the Soviet Soyuz TM-11 in December 1990. He spent more than seven days in space on

the Mir space station, in what the Soviets called their first commercial spaceflight which allowed

them to earn $14 million.

Japan participates in US and international manned space programs including flights of Japanese

astronauts on Russian Soyuzspacecraft to the ISS. One Space Shuttle mission (STS-47) in

September 1992 was partially funded by Japan. This flight included JAXA's first astronaut in

space, Mamoru Mohri, as the Payload Specialist for the Spacelab-J, one of the European

built Spacelabmodules. This mission was also designated Japan.

A view of the completed Kibo module.

Three other NASA Space Shuttle missions (STS-123, STS-124, STS-127) in 2008–2009 delivered

parts of the Japanese built spacelab-module Kibo to ISS.

Japanese plans for a manned lunar landing were in development but were shelved in early 2010 due

to budget constraints.[23]

In June 2014 Japan's science and technology ministry said it was considering a space mission

to Mars. In a ministry paper it indicated unmanned exploration, manned missions to Mars and long-

term settlement on the Moon were objectives, for which international cooperation and support was

going to be sought.[24]

Supersonic aircraft development[edit]

Besides the H-IIA and M-5 rockets, JAXA is also developing technology for a next-

generation supersonic transport that could become the commercial replacement for the Concorde.

The design goal of the project (working name NEXST) is to develop a jet that can carry 300

passengers at Mach 2. A subscale model of the jet underwent aerodynamic testing in September

and October 2005 in Australia.[25] The economic success of such a project is still unclear, and as a

consequence the project has been met with limited interest from Japanese aerospace companies

like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries so far.

Reusable launch vehicles[edit]

Until 2003[citation needed] JAXA (ISAS) conducted research on a reusable launch vehicle under

the Reusable Vehicle Testing (RVT)project.

Other space agencies in Japan[edit]

Not included into the JAXA organization is the Institute for unmanned space experiment free

flyer (USEF), Japan's other space agency.

See also[edit]

Spaceflight portal

Independent Administrative Institution  (IAI), 2001

List of Independent Administrative Institutions (Japan)

Space Brothers (manga)

Notes[edit]

1. Jump up^ " 決 算 報 告 書 " . JAXA. Retrieved 26 August 2014.2. Jump up^ McCurry, Justin (15 September 2007). "Japan launches biggest moon mission since

Apollo landings".guardian.co.uk/science (London). Retrieved 16 September 2007.3. Jump up^ Keiji Tachikawa – JAXA in 20064. Jump up^ JAXA | New JAXA Philosophy and Corporate Slogan5. Jump up^ "Law Concerning Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency". JAXA. Retrieved 20 April 2010.6. Jump up^ Kamiya, Setsuko, "Japan a low-key player in space race",Japan Times, 30 June 2009, p.

3.7. Jump up^ "Japan Passes Law Permitting Military Space Development".Defense News. 22 June

2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.8. Jump up^ "ISS On-Orbit Status 04/23/09". NASA.9. Jump up^ http://www.nationalspacesymposium.org/symposium-awards10. Jump up^ [1]11. Jump up^ Japancorp.net, Japan Successfully Launches Lunar Explorer "Kaguya"12. Jump up^ "Japan launches first lunar probe". BBC NEWS. 14 September 2007.13. Jump up^ [2]14. Jump up^ [3]15. Jump up^ Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI)16. Jump up^ [4]17. Jump up^ [5]18. Jump up^ [6]19. Jump up^ " 製品のご紹介 製品・衛星プラットフォーム／ DS2000"  (in Japanese). Mitsubishi Electric.

Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2008.20. Jump up^ "Launch Result of the KIZUNA (WINDS) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 14 (H-IIA F14)".

JAXA.21. Jump up^ "Japan's space freighter in orbit". Jonathan Amos (BBC). 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10

September 2009.22. Jump up^ "Japan eyes solar station in space as new energy source". Physorg.com. 8 November

2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.23. Jump up^ McPherson, S. (23 March 2010). Japan Decides Manned Mission to Moon Too Expensive,

Nikkei Says. Retrieved fromhttp://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a3mPhCZElfw8

24. Jump up^ "Japanese hope to build on Mars". The Tokyo News.Net. Retrieved 2 June 2014.25. Jump up^ Supersonic Jet 10 October 2005, yahoo[dead link]