Japan's Lunar Exploration -And "Back to the Moon" again!-

Japan's Lunar Exploration

And "Back to the Moon" again!

The "Space Development Plan"(Japanese) issued by Space Activities Commission on May 31, 2000 clearly declares that "development should continue" with LUNAR-A in the field of space science, and with SELENE in the field of lunar exploration as "full-scale development" items. Also, in the field of lunar exploration, an unmanned lunar exploration system for studying the possibility of various activities in space is specified as the item of "research".

2. Field of Space Science
	(2) Development
		(i) Scientific satellite No. 17 LUNAR-A The scientific satellite No. 17 LUNAR-A is intended for studying the internal crustal and thermal structures of the Moon. Development of LUNAR-A will be continued until 2002, when it is planned to be injected into the lunar orbit by launch vehicle M-V.
3. Field of Lunar Exploration
	(1) Development
		(i) Selenological and engineering explorerLunar orbital satellite (SELENE) Selenological and engineering explorer (SELENE) is intended for collecting data to evaluate the possibility of exploitation of the Moon, which is essential for future space activities. It also focuses on development of the basic technologies for these activities, as well as development of the lunar science to study the origin and evolution of the Moon. The satellite consists of lunar orbiters for spherical survey of lunar surface layer/composition, measurement of lunar gravity field, and demonstration of landing technologies on the Moon. Development of SELENE will be continued until 2007, when it is planned to be launched by H-IIA.
	(2) Research
		Research will be carried out on an unmanned lunar exploration system for the purpose of investigating the possibility of various space development activities on the lunar surface.
Excerpts from "Space Development Plan" dated May 31, 2000

Chapter 2 "Organization of Space Development Activities" in Fundamental Policy of Japan's Space Activities (revised in Jan. 1996) defines "Promotion of Space Science and Lunar Exploration" as one of the priority areas for the development of space. It says "the Moon, a familiar celestial body for mankind, should be explored in order to accumulate scientific knowledge and evaluate the possibility of exploitation as well". Also, in the detailed description of each priority area, it describes, "As the moon is the closest and most familiar celestial body, exploration of the moon is a first step in extending our space activities beyond the Earth. It is important to accumulate scientific knowledge about the moon, and survey its topography, geology, and mineral composition and mass distribution". Then the description continues more specifically on unmanned exploration, and scientific observation and exploration from the lunar surface, as shown below. Beside the unmanned exploration, a vision of "Lunar Observatory" is quoted as a means of the scientific observation and exploration from the lunar surface. Also, cooperation scheme to be formed by adding the National Astronomical Observatory to the above two organizations (NASDA/ISAS) is mentioned.

Chapter 2. Organization of Space Development Activities
	2-2 Space Activities in Individual Field
		3. Moon Exploration As the moon is the closest and most familiar celestial body, exploration of the moon is a first step in extending our space activities beyond the Earth. It is important to accumulate scientific knowledge about the moon, and survey its topography, geology, and mineral composition and mass distribution.
			(1) Unmanned Exploration NASDA and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), in cooperation with other agencies, will conduct an unmanned lunar exploration project including the development of a lunar orbiting satellite and a lunar landing vehicle. Project planning will take into account and international aspects of the venture as well as progress in technology.
			(2) Scientific Observation and Exploration from the Moon Keeping other countries' Lunar programs in mind, the National Astronomical Observatory, ISAS, and NASDA will jointly promote research and development of observation technology and lunar infrastructure technology. This will be done for future moon projects such as international lunar observatory and a long-term lunar mission.
Excerpts from "Fundamental Policy of Japan's Space Activities" revised on Jan. 24, 1996

We hope that you now understand the meaning and importance of the lunar exploration of Japan. It can be said that we have just started to make the first step, with one foot still in the air and the other remaining on the ground, that we have sought the direction to place our first step, and that we have tried to stand firmly on the other foot to support the first step.
As introduced so far, this first step is being made in expectation of high and versatile potential of the Moon. Someday in near future, we will make another step, and then further steps.

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