Category Archives: Japan

Wednesday / 20 June 2012

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Japan SELENE-2 To Study Internal Structure / Evolution Of Moon

Planned To Launch In Mid 2010s, SELENE-2 Includes Lander, Rover, Communication Relay Orbiter; Top Science Priority To Clarify Process Of Magma Ocean During Early Stage Of  Planetary Evolution, & Seismic Observation To Understand Internal Structure Of Moon; JAXA Considering Possibility Of Launching 2 Landers, Polar & Equatorial; SELENE-X Sample Return / Logistics Demonstrator To Follow; Pictured: SELENE-2 Director Prof Sho Sasaki

Image Credit: JAXA

Tuesday / 19 June 2012

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Japan Advancing Plans For Lunar Base

JAXA Sees Moon As Next Destination For Human Exploration; Associate Executive Director Yuichi Yamaura Confirms Japan’s Lunar Aspirations At Recent GLEX 2012 Conference; Japan Previously Released Plan For US$2.2B Robotic Base Near Moon South Pole By 2020 As Precursor To Human Habitation; JAXA Has Plans For Polar Lander, In-Situ Lunar Orientation Measurement (ILOM), Equiped With 20cm Optical Telescope

Image Credit: JAXA

Weekend Edition / 17-19 March 2012

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Japan Testing Moon Robots

Image Credit: JAXA, mainichinews.jp, kyodonews.jp

JAXA Conducts Tests Of 8 Prototype Moon Exploration Robots At Lunar-like Nakatajima Sand Dunes In Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture; Made By Various Research Institutions Including Tohoku University, Osaka University, & Tokyu Construction, Which Are Competing In JAXA Lunar Robotics Challenge; Winning Designs Will Become Part Of Next Generation Japan Lunar Exploratory Equipment

Monday / 13 February 2012 — Weekend Edition

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Image Credit: Air & Space, CNET

Lunar Exploration A Top Priority As Japan Confirms Plan For Space Program; 2015 SELENE-2 Short-Term Lunar Lander Mission, 2020 SELENE-X Robotics Long-Term Exploration / Sample Return Mission To Begin Assemblage Of Base At Moon South Pole Region; Development Of Human Transport Systems By 2020