U.S.-Japan Sixth Dialogue on Space Sees Moon as Stepping-Stone to Mars

July 25, 2019 (EIRNS)—On July 24 in Washington, D.C., Japanese government representatives came for the Sixth Meeting of the U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Dialogue on Space to pursue their shared goal of continuing to advance bilateral space cooperation, further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, and to ensure the safe and stable use of outer space now and in the future.

The dialogue represents the

“the strong and shared commitment of two of the world’s most advanced spacefaring nations to further enhance bilateral space cooperation and to cooperate closely with the international community to ensure the continuous, safe, and stable use of outer space for current and future generations,”

the joint statement posted to the State Department website said.

The high-level representation included the U.S. President’s National Space Council, National Security Council, and NASA, and Japan’s National Space Policy Secretariat, the Cabinet Office for Japan, Office of National Space Policy, the Ministry of Defense, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and other high-level representatives and government bodies from both nations.

Recognizing the outcome of the May 2019 United States-Japan summit, both nations shared the intention of strengthening cooperation, particularly in the area of exploration of the Moon as a stepping-stone to Mars. They acknowledged plans to accelerate discussions on Japan’s participation in the Gateway and in lunar surface operations.

Recalling discussion at the April 19, 2019 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, participants reviewed and confirmed progress on Japan’s development of a Deep Space Radar and on plans for hosting U.S.-provided Space Situational Awareness payloads on Japan’s Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) planned for launch in 2023.

At the Sixth Comprehensive Dialogue Meeting, they said, “both Japan and the U.S. renewed their strong determination to expand bilateral cooperation in Space Security, Space Situational Awareness, Space Traffic Management, Space Exploration, Commercial Space, Earth Observation, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems, and to seek opportunities for engagement with Third Countries and Multilateral Organizations.”