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OREX

Japanese re-entry demonstrator spaceship

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
1 min read
Source updated March 27, 2026
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OREX (Orbital Re-entry Experiment) was a NASDA re-entry demonstrator prototype which was launched in 1994 on the H-II launcher; the satellite was renamed Ryūsei (りゅうせい, Shooting star). It was a precursor for the Japanese space shuttle HOPE.

OREX tested various communications systems, heating profiles and heat shielding components for HOPE.

Watch videos about OREXExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

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This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “OREX”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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