Space and Aeronautical Research Agency (Kozakura)

This article is for the Esvanovia-canon SARA. For the Ajax canon, see Space and Aeronautical Research Agency.

Space and Aeronautical Research Agency

宇宙航空研究開発機構 Uchū kōkū kenkyū kaihatsukikō
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Abbreviation	SARA
Formation	24 February 1987 (1987-02-24)
Headquarters	Onogoro Space Centre Onogoro Island, Kozakura
Administrator	Taryaba Chinchoshi
Primary spaceport	Onogoro Launch Centre Kaguya Mass Driver Complex
Parent organisation	Under Joint-Jurisdiction: National Development Directorate Education Directorate National Defence Directorate
Budget	R¥1.56 trillion (US$10 billion) (FY2021)

The Space and Aeronautical Research Agency (SARA) (Japanese: 宇宙航空研究開発機構, Uchū kōkū kenkyū kaihatsukikō) is the Kozakuran national air and space agency. Jointly-managed by three governmental directorates, SARA was formed on 24 February 1987. SARA is responsible for research, technology development, and launch of satellites into orbit. The agency is also involved in many advanced missions such as asteroid exploration and human exploration of the moon.

Administration

All of SARA's physical presence is in the military-controlled Onogoro Island, south of the Kozakuran city-state.

SARA Astronaut Corps

The Astronaut Corps is the unit of SARA responsible for selection, training, and provides crew members for manned space missions Kozakura is a part of. The astronaut corps generally recruits astronauts who have degrees as scientists, engineers and/or medical doctors. In addition to being Kozakuran citizens, candidates must meet certain physical standards (including height, weight, hearing and visual acuity) as well as educational requirements.

Launch Systems

SARA uses several launch systems. The mainstay launch vehicles used by the agency is the latest versions of the Akatsuki-class Active Expendable Launch System. Introduced in 2023, the Akatsuki-class are a family of medium-lift vehicles. SARA uses the Oni-class solid fuel rocket for smaller launches. Since 2030, SARA has begun developing unmanned rocket-assisted launch vehicles for the Kaguya Mass Driver known as the OV121-class and has since constructed a fleet of five experimental vehicles.

SARA Launch Systems

Designation	Image	Payload to GTO	Payload to LEO	Number of Engines	Addon Modules	Description
Akatsuki-class Active Expendable Launch System
H2A-202 variant		3,970 kg	8,000 kg	First Stage: x3 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-113 Liquid Rocket Engines Second Stage: x1 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-114 Liquid Rocket Engine	x2 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters
H2A-2022 variant		4,100 kg	10,000 kg	First Stage: x2 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-114 Liquid Rocket Engines Second Stage: x1 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-115 Liquid Rocket Engines	x2 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters x2 Mk-20 Solid Strap-On Boosters
H2A-2024 variant		6,000 kg	15,000 kg	First Stage: x3 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-114 Liquid Rocket Engines Second Stage: x1 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-115 Liquid Rocket Engine	x2 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters x4 Mk-20 Solid Strap-On Boosters
H2A-204 variant		8,000 kg	19,000 kg	First Stage: x3 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-115 Liquid Rocket Engines Second Stage: x1 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-116 Liquid Rocket Engine	x4 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters
Oni-class Solid Fuel Launch Systems
Sounding Rocket
Mass Driver Launch System
OV121-class		11,325 kg	24,269 kg	x5 Morgenroete Rocket Engines RS-117 Liquid Rocket Engines x4 Morgenroete Rocket Systems RS-120 Liquid Rocket Engines	x1 OV-121 External Tank	Unmanned Mass Driver Launch Vehicle. SARA operates a fleet of 5.