In April, the United States and Japan announced a groundbreaking agreement for cooperation on lunar exploration. As part of this collaboration, JAXA will provide NASA with the Lunar Dielectric Analyzer instrument for the Artemis III mission. This instrument will be crucial in gathering important scientific data about the lunar environment, its interior, and how to support extended human presence on the Moon.
Meanwhile, Japan is responsible for designing, developing, and operating a pressurized rover for both crewed and uncrewed missions on the Moon. NASA will launch and deliver the rover to the lunar surface and offer two opportunities for Japanese astronauts to journey to the Moon. This collaboration between the two nations was celebrated by President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida and serves as a testament to their strong partnership.
The pressurized rover, which is designed to accommodate two astronauts for a 30-day period on the lunar surface, has a lifespan of around 10 years. This allows it to be used in multiple missions and plays a crucial role in enabling longer expeditions on the Moon. The rover will give astronauts the opportunity to conduct more moonwalks and carry out scientific research in various locations near the lunar South Pole. This development marks a significant step forward in advancing lunar exploration and further solidifies NASA’s collaboration with JAXA.
