Since the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) focuses on satellites and space probes, Japanese astronauts are intensely collaborating with the United States and Russia to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).
Now, new history will be recorded. Japan and the United States announced that they would send Japanese astronauts to the surface of the Moon. Interestingly, this historic moment comes at a time when allied collaboration on space projects is on the rise.
"In recent years, the alliance between Japan and the United States has become better, deeper, and more competent as we work together to meet new challenges," said US President Joe Biden.
"Our common goal is for Japanese and American astronauts to land on the Moon together on behalf of our two countries," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Japan will send an astronaut to the moon with NASA, President Biden says https://t.co/O8J0qVaN4a pic.twitter.com/RU0zSR33iI
— SPACE.com (@SPACEdotcom) May 24, 2022
Biden expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, particularly at the Gateway facility, which will travel to the Moon and assist astronauts on various future missions. The US president also stated that he was looking forward to the first Japanese astronauts to join the US on the Artemis mission to the lunar surface.
"I saw the first Japanese astronauts to join us on this mission and I am excited about the work we will be doing together at the Gateway station around the Moon," Biden said.
In 2023, the US will ship samples from the space rock 'Bennu' to Japan obtained by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission in 2021. JAXA has been instrumental in helping NASA achieve its goals for the International Space Station and Artemis programs.