Expected for the new space station plan "Aviator on the moon" September 2, 19:04
To commemorate the 10th year since the completion of the Japanese experimental building “Kibo” at the International Space Station, people from various countries' space agencies gathered, and the new universe orbiting the moon that Japan is also considering joining. Opinions were exchanged about the station, such as "We are very excited about the plan to make astronauts land on the moon."
JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, 10 years after the completion of the Japanese experimental building "Kibo" of the International Space Station and the first launch of the space transport ship "Kototori" To commemorate the event, about 150 people including those in charge of space development in the United States and Europe gathered.
In this session, the results of scientific experiments at Kibo were introduced, and then representatives from space agencies in the United States, Canada, and Russia spoke.
Among them, the head of Europe's space agency said about the “gateway” of the new space station that orbits the United States. I think there will be an exploration option and it will be a plan to have the astronauts land on the moon, and I am very excited to see what will happen in the future, ”I said.
`` Gateway '' is calling for participation in the United States aiming for the start of operation in 2024, and participation will be announced within the year, including about 15 billion yen in total as a cost related to the budget request for next year's budget proposal The Japanese government is making adjustments to make it possible.
In addition, a panel discussion was held on how to use the current International Space Station, and discussions were made between the person in charge of the company and others for effective use by the private sector.
Planning for the next International Space Station
“Kibo” is a Japanese experimental facility installed at the International Space Station.
Seven Japanese astronauts stayed in space for a long time to study the effects of weightlessness with plants and mice, as well as experiments to create new materials and research to create new drugs.
In addition, a project to release an ultra-small satellite into the space using the robot arm in Kibo has been carried out. In response to requests from universities, companies, and countries without rockets, there have been 241 units. Is released.
On the other hand, the issue of cost has been pointed out.
The construction and operation of "Kibo" has been invested in budgets exceeding 1 trillion yen, and many people have asked for verification whether the national space policy committee and others have achieved results that are commensurate with the costs. It was. It takes about 40 billion yen annually to maintain and replenish facilities, and there is a continuing need to explain cost effectiveness.
Under such circumstances, plans for the next stage of the International Space Station are beginning to move.
The United States has called for the participation of each country with the concept of a new space station "Gateway" orbiting the moon, and the Japanese government is making adjustments so that it can announce participation within the year. “Gateway” is designed to orbit the moon about 380,000 km away from the earth, and is expected to be used as a relay base for the moon and Mars exploration. In addition to Japan, Canada officially announced participation, and Russian and European governments are considering participation. The United States plans to start operating the "gateway" by 2024, send astronauts to the moon, and then gradually expand the facility. The total cost of the construction is estimated to be 310 to 420 billion yen by JAXA last year.
There are several reasons why the US and other space agencies pay attention to the moon.
It turns out that there is a huge space in the basement of the moon, and it is thought that the temperature difference and cosmic radiation of about 300 degrees on the moon will be mitigated. In addition, there is ice in the basement of the South Pole of the Moon, and it is pointed out that hydrogen obtained from decomposition can be used as energy, and specific uses are being studied.
In addition, the United States is planning Mars exploration based on the moon. Mars has a thin atmosphere and is said to be the easiest to move in the solar system, and full-scale manned exploration is being considered.
Astronaut Wakata “Aiming for the day when Japanese people land on the moon”
AXA: Astronaut Koichi Wakata, director of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, said, “This 10-year manned space activity in Japan has been trusted by the world to demonstrate its presence in experiments using Kibo. “It has led not only to the achievements of science and technology but also to the creation of a peaceful world in which each country cooperates,” he stressed.
And the current International Space Station will continue to operate until 2024, and after that, the US wants to leave it to the private sector. “It is important to make the orbit around the Earth the place of economic activity where the International Space Station is located. "We are working on initiatives for private sector activities around the world," he explained that roles will change in the future.
Furthermore, regarding the plan for a new space station "Gateway" that goes around the moon that the United States is advancing, "I want to contribute with the technology that Japan has cultivated at the International Space Station, such as the development of new space transport ships and water and air regenerators." Among them, we are making preparations for the Japanese to go around the moon and the day when it falls on the moon. I think there will be an exciting time when Japanese will fall on the moon. " He talked about the future of Japanese manned space development.