Japan to Develop High-Tech Spacesuits for Lunar Exploration in 2018
According to officials from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan is set to create high-tech spacesuits designed for lunar exploration missions in 2018, as reported by Kyodo News on December 21.
With these advanced suits, Japan aims to participate in a U.S. project that plans to send astronauts to the Moon in 2018. This initiative will make Japan the third country in the world to leverage its cutting-edge technology for producing lightweight spacesuits for astronauts.
The agency is targeting a design for the spacesuits that will weigh around 20 kg, significantly lighter than the approximately 120 kg suits designed by the United States. These new suits will also enhance life support capabilities, allowing astronauts to work in them for up to one week.
These suits are scheduled for testing during a 2008 mission, with plans to be integrated into the U.S. national space program for lunar missions starting after 2014.
Currently, both the United States and Russia have developed technologies for creating spacesuits used for extravehicular activities. These suits are engineered to protect individuals from extreme temperature changes, cosmic radiation, and micrometeorite impacts.
“We believe Japan is very strong in technologies related to spacesuit manufacturing. We also hope this project will help expand Japan’s space activities,” officials from JAXA stated.
A draft national budget released this week indicates that Japan will prioritize space exploration, even though the overall budget for the coming year may see a decline. Funding for this space program is expected to increase by 2%, reaching 180.1 billion yen (approximately 1.54 billion USD), marking the highest level in seven years for Japan.
Reported by TUONG VY
