Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Director General Of European Space Agency Clarifies His Vision “To Establish An Infrastructure On The Moon… To Do First-Class Fundamental Research”; International Research Station On Lunar Surface NET 2024 Should Serve As Next Foothold Of Human Expansion Into Solar System After ISS; Moon Focus Increasing ESA Collaboration With China, Russia, Japan & U.S. On Moon / Mars / Space Missions
Credit: ESA, Foster + Partners
International Fleet Of South Pole Lunar Landers Developing From India (Chandrayaan-2, 2017), China (Chang’e-4 & -5, 2017), Japan (SLIM, 2019), Russia (Luna-25, 2019), Korea (2020), As Well As Independent Enterprises Moon Express, ILOA, Canadensys, Golden Spike Company & Shackleton Energy Company; American Flags On Moon Commemorated 4 July As Pioneering Individuals Look Forward To Earth / International Flags & Multi World Species Endeavors
Credit: NASA, JAXA, CNSA, IIT-Kanpur, ISRO, ILOA, ME
Hakuto Japan Team Leader Takeshi Hakamada (BR) Stresses Importance Of “Commercialization Of Moon”; Lunar Rover To Seek “Cave For Possible Habitat Location” With Wheels Designed For Mobility In Fine-Grained Dust On Moon Surface; German Team Part-Time Scientists Add Cooperating Partner Audi To Provide Technological Know-How From Quatrro All-Wheel Drive For Rover Optimization
Credit: NASA, GLXP, Audi, Team Hakuto, Team Part-Time Scientist
Japan Google Lunar XPrize Team HAKUTO Enters Agreement With Marubeni Information Systems For “Technological Assistance As Technology Partner”, Announcement Made At 26th Design Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions Expo 24-26 June; New Technology Includes 3D Printing & Scanning, Wheels Of Lunar Exploration Rover Shaped By Stratasys 3D Printer Have Heat Resistance & Adaptability To Harsh Temperatures In Space Environment
Credit: Lunar XPrize, Marubeni Information Systems
JAXA First Mission To Moon Surface – 120kg Smart Lander For Investigating Moon (SLIM) – Likely To Be Launched To Moon South Pole In Second Half Of Fiscal Year 2019 To Test Landing Capability Within A Few Hundred Meters; Will Launch On Epsilon Rocket From Tanegashima Space Center At 30.4° N, 130.97° E; Mission Will Advance Technologies Needed For Future Human Missions
Image Credit: JAXA
Japan Proposal For 2018 Lunar Lander Mission, Expected To Cost Between US$83M – $125M, Still Awaiting Final Approval; Public & Political Recognition Of Importance / Benefits Of Mission Needed To Garner Required Support; Standing As Global Leader In Space Would Be Enhanced If Japan Becomes 4th Or 5th (India 2017) Country To Soft Land On Moon; Could Stimulate Global Partners Like USA To Collaborate On Moon Surface Missions, Including Human Lunar Base; Resource Identification On Moon & ISRU Technology Demonstrations Could Ensure Permanent Sustainable Human Presence In Solar System
Image Credit: JAXA
Russia Invites China To Collaborate On Scientific Space Station In Lunar Orbit, Both Countries Have Stated Plans To Continue Robotic Exploration Of Moon Over Next Decade, Conduct Human Surface Missions By 2030; New ESA Leader Johann-Dietrich Wörner (L) Sees International Permanent Moon Station – Likely At Far Side – As Next Step After ISS; Japan Plan For ~2018 Lunar Lander Garnering Significant Attention From International Space Community
Pictured (R): Roscosmos Leader Igor Komarov, China Vice Premier Wang Yang
Image Credit: Russianspaceweb.com, RIA Novosti
JAXA Moon Program Proposal – Which Includes Announcement Of Plan To Send Robotic Lander Mission To Moon In 2018 – Cites Increased Competition For Resources On Moon, Risk Of Power Imbalance As Russia, China, India Advance Lunar Surface Development Plans; Proposal Includes Initial Phase Of Robotic Missions, Possibility Of Human Lunar Visits – Facilitated By International Cooperation – In Post-2025 2nd Phase
Image Credit: JAXA, CNSA, ISRO
JAXA Reveals Plans To Become 4th Nation To Achieve Soft Moon Landing With Smart Lander For Investigating Moon (SLIM) Mission ~2018; Mission Expected To Cost Between US$84-125M, Use Epsilon Solid-Fueled Rocket; Funding / Development To Begin FY 2016; Goal Is To Achieve Landing Within ~100m Of Intended Landing Site; Japan Considering SLIM Stepping Stone To Human Moon Mission & Mars Landings; India Also Planning Moon Lander In 2017 / 2018
Image Credit: JAXA
Japan-Based Team Hakuto Working With Anime Show Evangelion In Crowdfunding Campaign To Recreate Scene From The Show During Lunar Mission; Campaign Quickly Became Fastest Growing Japanese Crowdfunding Initiative Ever, Has Raised US$338K Of $832K-Goal, Deadline For Campaign Is 5 April; India-Based Team Indus Set To Close US$1.5-M Pre-Series A Funding Round After Significant Investments From Infosys Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani (Inset) & Others; Indus Goal To Raise $30M For Mission, Including $20-25M For ISRO Launch
Pictured: (R) Japan Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, (L) Celebrity Natsuki Katou
Image Credit: Team Hakuto, Pradeep Guar