The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) (国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, Kokuritsu-kenkyū-kaihatsu-hōjin Uchū Kōkū Kenkyū Kaihatsu Kikō, literally "National Research and Development Agency Aerospace Research and Development Organisation") is the Japanese national air and space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003.