ESA and Japan expand collaboration in space exploration

ESA and Japan expand collaboration in space exploration
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Nov 22, 2024

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have signed a new joint statement to deepen their partnership across asteroid, lunar, and planetary exploration. Signed on November 20 by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and JAXA President Yamakawa Hiroshi in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, the agreement builds on decades of successful collaboration.

The two agencies share a history of joint missions, including BepiColombo's journey to Mercury and EarthCARE's study of Earth's climate. ESA and JAXA astronauts have also worked together aboard the International Space Station, forging a strong foundation for future endeavors.

Under the latest agreement, ESA and JAXA will accelerate collaborative studies for the Ramses mission to the asteroid Apophis, which will pass Earth in 2029. Potential contributions from JAXA include thermal infrared imaging, solar array technology, and launch services.

The partnership extends to lunar exploration, where the two agencies are working within the framework of the Artemis program. ESA's Argonaut lunar cargo lander and JAXA's pressurized lunar rover are central components of this effort. Additionally, ESA's recently inaugurated lunar analogue facility may serve as a testing ground for JAXA's lunar technologies. Collaborative efforts could also involve small commercially provided lunar rovers, the lunar polar exploration mission, and the Moonlight program to establish a lunar communications and navigation satellite network.

ESA and JAXA are also advancing discussions on Mars exploration, aiming to leverage technologies such as electric propulsion and descent systems to send small landers to the Red Planet.

In the realm of space science, the agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working together on major projects like ESA's Athena X-ray telescope, slated for launch in 2037, and the JAXA-led LiteBird gravitational wave telescope. Collaborative proposals under consideration include studies of Mars' habitability, Earth's plasma environment, and long-term exploration of the moons of giant planets.

ESA and JAXA also plan to continue tackling climate change and expanding commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. Additionally, ESA signed a letter of intent with Japanese space innovation firm CrossU and participated in the opening of Nihonbashi Space Week, highlighting Japan's growing role in the global space industry.