Landing the first Japanese astronauts on the moon is now more likely to happen as early as the late 2020s, following an agreement between the science ministry and NASA over cooperation on lunar exploration.
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and NASA on Friday compiled a joint statement on the endeavour and agreed to come up with details including the number of Japanese astronauts to crew a lunar orbital station to be operated mainly by the United States from the mid-2020s.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said at a signing ceremony via videoconference Friday morning that Japan is a great partner in space exploration. A new era of lunar exploration is about to begin, he said.
In response to his remark, science minister Koichi Hagiuda expressed his hope that the two sides will further develop their space cooperation.
The U.S. is pushing forward with NASA's Artemis program for manned lunar exploration, more than five decades after the Apollo missions, which landed the first man on the moon in 1969.
In the Artemis program, NASA plans to land U.S. astronauts on the moon by 2024 and establish a space station officially known as the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, that could be ready to accommodate astronauts by the mid-2020s.
The government announced its participation in the program last October, and clearly stated it will ensure that Japanese astronauts play an active role in the program under the new Basic Plan on Space Policy, which was approved during a Cabinet meeting in June.
In the joint statement, the United States stated its intention to launch the Gateway's international residential module for Japanese, U.S. and European astronauts in 2025.
Hagiuda and Bridenstine agreed to arrange the number of Japanese astronauts to crew the Gateway and other details in a memorandum of understanding.
Details of lunar exploration will be studied with the presumption of participation by Japanese astronauts.
Japan will contribute to the Artemis program through the transport of supplies using Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) new unmanned cargo transporter, and the development of batteries and other components.
If the plan goes ahead as scheduled, it is likely that Japanese astronauts will work on the Gateway and set foot on the lunar surface as early as the late 2020s, observers said.
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