The Space Flyer Unit (SFU) is an unmanned free ing small platform for onboard experiments on space science and engineering, which is the rst retrievable carrier in Japan. The major objective of the rst SFU mission is to establish a reusable spacecraft system, and the second is to carry out various onboard experiments on space science and engineer ing. The SFU was launched in orbit by Japanese H_ II_ 3 rocket on March 18, 1995, and retrieved by American Space Shuttle STS_ 72 on January 20, 1996.

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... When the rst SFU mission completed, SFU was broken up for storing until se cond ight integration. After two years discussion about the second ight mission, it was decided to handover to the Na tional Science Museum of Japan for future scientic and engineering education. Many young graduate and university students in their subject of space engineering jointed to reintegration activities of this spacecraft.