On April 12, Keiji Tachikawa, Chairman of the Board of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), announced that Japan is preparing to launch a lunar probe within the next ten years. They also plan to establish a lunar base within the next twenty years. Currently, Japan has formed a project team for this initiative.
In 2007, Japan will launch a satellite to orbit the Moon named “Moon Goddess,” and shortly after, they will deploy an unmanned probe to study the origins of the Moon. They plan to collect samples from the lunar surface to bring back to Earth for research. Since the U.S. Apollo program only explored a portion of the Moon, many areas remain unexamined; Japan’s probe will conduct detailed surveys of these regions to obtain accurate data.
Japan will rely on its own robotics technology to carry out independent exploration activities. Finding a landing site for the unmanned probe is crucial, and this task will be managed by satellites. The unmanned probe will collect rock samples and conduct analyses to provide data for establishing the lunar base.
In recent years, Japan has been actively advancing its space exploration plans.
Not long ago, they successfully launched the H-IIA rocket carrying a multi-purpose satellite.
They plan to deploy X-ray telescopes and optical telescopes in space at a distance of 1.5 million kilometers from Earth; these telescopes will aid in their exploration of Jupiter and Saturn. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency aims to develop reusable space vehicles, similar to those used by the United States, before 2025.
Currently, Japan’s primary mission in space exploration is to study the Moon at the highest level and develop technologies to prepare for lunar exploration applications.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency intends to present a financial estimate to the government, amounting to 6 trillion Japanese yen, equivalent to 57 billion USD.
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