NASA Strengthens Space Partnerships with Japan, South Korea

JAKARTA – NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will visit Japan and South Korea to strengthen international cooperation. The visit will last for several weeks starting Thursday, July 11.

Melroy will visit the two countries to interact with ministers and senior government officials. She will also meet with leaders from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA).

While in Japan, specifically in Tokyo, Melroy will attend the 6th Secure World Foundation Summit. This meeting will highlight cooperation between the two countries in space sustainability and highlight NASA's performance in various missions.

One project that may be highlighted is the partnership between NASA and JAXA in the lunar exploration mission. Last April, Japan was selected as the designer and developer of the rover for surface exploration on the Moon.

Through this collaboration, JAXA is trying to make Japan the first country other than America to land astronauts on the Moon. In addition to the partnership in the lunar exploration mission, the two are also working together on a space climate research mission.

Meanwhile, Melroy will visit Busan, South Korea to attend the 45th Scientific Session held by the Space Research Committee in the country. NASA wants to achieve international and commercial collaboration opportunities in space research.

South Korea just established KASA last May to develop the space industry in the country. This institution was founded on the basis of cooperation with NASA in exploration, studying earth and space sciences, and aeronautics.