This is a 1:15 scale model of the H-I, the third rocket built by Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA). The H-I had liquid-fuel engines on both its first and second stages, a solid-fuel third stage, and nine strap-on solid rockets to enhance boost at liftoff. It used a combination of American and Japanese technology. NASDA launched the H-I nine times from 1986 to 1992 with no launch failures, placing 13 communications, weather, ocean observation, and remote-sensing satellites in Earth orbit. The larger and more powerful H-II rocket, which first flew in 1994, replaced the H-I. NASDA built this model and donated it to NASM in 1991.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.