Hello, space enthusiasts!
This time, I visited the ISAS Sagamihara Campus.
Surprisingly, part of the campus is open to the public for free! It’s a must-visit spot for space enthusiasts.
Up Close with Rockets and Spacecraft!
The first thing to greet you is the real M-V rocket. It’s massive! Yet, its surprisingly compact size makes you wonder, “Can this really travel to space?” That sense of awe adds to its charm.
The "Space Science Exploration Exchange Building" is the area open for visitors.
Inside, there’s a system where you put on a visitor sticker at the reception. Just by wearing this sticker, you’ll feel like you’re a researcher yourself (haha).
The exhibition area features the following highlights:
- A full-scale model of the asteroid explorer "Hayabusa2"
- A full-scale model of the small lunar lander demonstration mission "SLIM"
- The Pencil Rocket (The origin of Japan's rocket development)
Each of them is surprisingly compact, and the Pencil Rocket is literally the size of a pen! (Located in the front center of the photo)
*Did this really go to space?" — it’s a continuous series of surprises. There are detailed explanations, but honestly, all I could think was, “Wow!” (haha).
宇宙食＆カレーも！
There is also a cafeteria and a gift shop.
Additionally, I discovered a vending machine with space food. It would make a great souvenir!
The cafeteria also offers a dish called "Space Curry," but since I had a reservation at a soba restaurant this time, I’ll save it for next visit.
Summary
The ISAS Sagamihara Campus is a rare place where you can experience space up close for free. While viewing rockets and spacecraft, I felt like I was ready to blast off into space myself. Next time, I definitely want to try the Space Curry!
Be sure to enjoy your journey into space in Sagamihara! 🚀
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip!
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
