Taiki Space Community Center SORA
A gateway to the history of this town of space
Taiki Space Community Center SORA is an exhibition facility where visitors can learn about Taiki Town’s space-focused community development initiatives, which began in 1985. Taiki is a hub for various aerospace experiments, including atmospheric balloon and aircraft experiments of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Visitors can see rockets from Interstellar Technologies Inc. up close. The center also provides insights into the current activities and future plans of Hokkaido Spaceport, which began full-scale operations in 2021.
Main Exhibits
Rockets
Explore small rockets that have been launched from Taiki Town. These exhibits offer a glimpse into the space-related history of the town, where launch experiments have been conducted for more than a decade.
Mock-up of Interstellar Technologies Inc.’s
MOMO sounding rocket
The exhibits here feature panels introducing Interstellar Technologies Inc., a private rocket development company based in Taiki Town, and a mock-up of their MOMO F3, Japan’s first sounding rocket launched independently by a private company to reach space. MOMO F3 was launched from Taiki.
JAXA exhibits
The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), formerly a division of JAXA, conducted the first experiment in Taiki Town in 1992. The exhibits here feature actual experimental equipment and panels related to the atmospheric balloon experiments and aeronautical experiments that have been conducted since then.
Panels and videos featuring Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO)
Explore panels and videos that showcase the current development of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO) in Taiki Town and Taiki Town’s vision of becoming “an aerospace Silicon Valley” centered on the spaceport.
Floor Map
SORA includes two exhibition rooms and a training room. Exhibition Room 1 showcases small rockets launched from Taiki Town and a 1/60 scale model of a JAXA atmospheric balloon.
Exhibition Room 2 features displays on the initiatives of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), Interstellar Technologies Inc., JAXA, and other organizations.
The training room offers a “rocket launch sound experience” and video screenings of MOMO sounding rocket launches.
Visitor Information
| Opening Period |
Open daily from late April (Golden Week holidays) to October 31
*Please note that public access may be suspended due to unforeseen circumstances. |
|---|---|
| Hours |
10:00 – 16:00
|
| Admission |
Free
|
| Reservations |
Not required
|
| Guides |
When the spaceport is open, guides are available to provide explanations of the exhibits. With their specialized knowledge, they offer easy-to-understand explanations.
*Please note that guides may not be available at all times due to unforeseen circumstances. |
| Group Visits |
Taiki Space Community Center SORA is open for visits free of charge.
While no reservation is required, we recommend that groups of 20 or more use the form below to contact us in advance, to ensure a smooth visit. Click here to apply. |
| Additional Information |
For information on full tours of HOSPO (educational tours and general group tours, with fees), please refer to the website below.
Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO)
Tour Programs (external website) |
| Notes |
|
Access
70 min. by car from JR Obihiro Station
40 min. by car from Obihiro Airport
Parking for 31 cars (free of charge)
Contact
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. (designated administrator)
Taiki Town Economic Center 3F, Nishi-Hondori 98, Taiki-cho, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido, 089-2152