In the international lunar exploration program that the United States is promoting, final adjustments are being made to have at least one Japanese astronaut participate in the activities of the new space station "Gateway," which will be built around the moon. I understand that it is.
If it is officially decided, it is expected that it will lead to the first step for Japan to show its presence in space development, which is entering a new phase.
The United States is promoting the "Artemis Project" to explore the moon as a foothold for mankind's advancement into space, and Japan and Europe are also participating.
According to the plan, the construction of a new space station "Gateway" to orbit the moon will start around 2024, and it will also be used when astronauts land on the moon.
In addition to European and Canadian astronauts, at least one Japanese astronaut will participate in this "gateway" activity. was found through interviews with stakeholders.
"Gateway" is a base that orbits the moon at a distance of about 380,000 km, much farther than the International Space Station, which orbits at an altitude of about 400 km above the earth. is limited.
If there is a concrete path for Japanese astronauts to participate in activities, it is expected to lead to the first step for Japan to show its presence in space development, which is entering a new phase.
What is the Artemis Project?
The United States is promoting the "Artemis Project" to explore the moon under international cooperation as a foothold for mankind's advance into space.
NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration plans to launch an unmanned spacecraft with a large rocket "SLS" as the first stage of the plan in the middle of this month, and will conduct a test flight to orbit the moon and return it to the earth.
After that, as the second stage, we plan to carry out a test flight to actually orbit the moon with astronauts on board by 2024, and in the third stage, we plan to have astronauts land on the moon by 2025.
What is a "gateway"?
In this "Artemis Project", construction of a new space station called "Gateway" is scheduled from around 2024 with the cooperation of each country.
"Gateway" is a base that orbits the moon at a distance of about 380,000 kilometers, which is much farther than the International Space Station, which rotates at an altitude of about 400 kilometers above the earth. It may also play a role as a relay station on the way.
We plan to conduct scientific experiments on the Gateway, but the number of astronauts who can be active per mission is limited to 2 to 4, and the length of stay is limited to 10 to 30 days per year.
According to previous announcements, at least three European astronauts and one Canadian astronaut will be able to work on the ``gateway''. Cooperate in planning.
Japan also plans to resupply the "Gateway" with supplies via an unmanned space transport, as well as provide equipment for life support. is underway.