The Future of Human Spaceflight in Japan

Abstract

The development of a large rocket plays a significant role in Japan’s policy of space development and utilization. Therefore when the H-II rocket, developed using indigenous technology and launched successfully on its first five flights, failed on the next two consecutive flights the entire space program was seriously impacted. When the accidents occurred, rocket development was about to shift from the H-II series to the H-IIA, which sought a considerable improvement in reliability and a reduction in costs based upon the experience of the H-II, and was expected to lead to Japan’s participation in the international launch business. The failures thus raised a fundamental question about the government’s space development system.

The government decided to integrate three space-related organizations — the National Space Development Agency, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, and the National Aerospace Laboratory — in 2003 to strengthen the national space development system. As a result, the necessary environment for a reusable spacecraft with the ultimate technological reliability was created. While the government discussed the integration, the H-IIA was successfully launched on its inaugural and second flights.

Japan has been accumulating human spaceflight experience aboard the US Space Shuttle. Furthermore, Japan’s participation in the International Space Station (ISS) is significantly broadening the opportunity through the construction of the Japanese Experimental Module, KIBO, and its operation. Japan is also gaining experience through the HTV transport system, which provides an essential step toward building the technological foundation for a future manned spacecraft.