第2次とりまとめ概要（英語版）
Overview of Second Report of“International Space Station & International Space Exploration Subcommittee”
1.Background
○ U.S., Russia and Canada have agreed to extend ISS operations up to 2024.
○ Not only advanced spacefaring countries but many countries have plans for lunar and Mars exploration. (U.S., Russia, EU, China, India, etc.)
○ More and more private companies are participating in space activities. (LEO, unmanned lunar exploration)
○ International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) is studying manned Mars exploration through international cooperation.
※International Space Exploration refers to activities in which the sphere of human activities is expanded from the ISS to the Moon and Mars through international cooperation.
2.Purpose for Japan’s participating in international space exploration
○ Contribution to diplomacy and security
- Participating in international space exploration demonstrates that Japan’s space development capacity is very high. Having an influential voice based on this wide knowledge and experience of science and technology ensures that Japan can play a leadership role in discussion of the formulation of international rules.
○ Industrial promotion
- The development of state-of-the-art, technologies, and the development of innovative materials, and so on spurred by the competition of international space exploration strengthen the space industrial base in our country.
Unmanned spacecraft robotics, energy technology and so on associated with Japan's key industries strengthen Japan’s industrial competitiveness.
○ Promotion of science, technology and innovation.
- Scientific knowledge and space technology obtained through international space exploration are common assets of humanity. Japan’s playing a leading and proactive role and contributing to the world is an important touchstone for a nation promoting science and technology innovation.
3.Japan’s approaches to international space exploration
○ Steady step-by-step approach from the ISS to the Moon, Mars
- We will continue to participate in the ISS, and seek the maximization of results.
- Promoting proactive efforts for exploration of the Moon and Mars
- Demonstration of pinpoint landing technology targeting the Moon (FY2019) and the lunar Antarctic exploration (early 2020s)
- Return of the Mars satellite sample that takes advantage of the knowledge and technology of "Hayabusa". (early 2020s)
○ By identifying and specifying key technology (landing and exploration technology on gravity planets, deep space supply technology, and manned space technologies) and accumulating Japan’s unique technology and knowledge, Japan can ensure its technical preeminence and influence.
4.Measure for Promotion
○ Building the “all-Japan” system centered on JAXA. Excellent researchers will also be invited from abroad, as Japan aims at becoming a core base for space exploration research in Asia.
○ As Japan is the chair country, the next ISEF (to be held in 2016 or 2017) is a valuable opportunity to take the leadership in making a new international framework, so Industry, government and academia will be actively involved in it.
5.Japan's efforts for the future ISS
○ Measures for maximization of results of "Kibo" utilization as a research and development platform
- Promoting the international utilization of the ISS in cooperation with the United Nations and Asian countries and efforts in line with the new Japan-US space cooperation, etc.
- Contributing to the strengthening of industrial competitiveness and a wider range of space development and utilization with the expansion of opportunities produced by micro satellites and the verification of space technology using the outboard experiment equipment/module Kibo (open platform).
- Contributing to Japan's science and technology strategy and measures such as discovery of innovative new medicines, measures to combat age-related diseases, development of regenerative medicine, and creation of new functional materials.
○ Measures for cost-effective improvement (taking advantage of the improved HTV)
- By developing the HTV-X (tentative name), which improves the current HTV, we can reduce operational costs and have an impact on various future missions.