Pushing The Future Of Science, NASA And JAXA Collaborating For Artemis
JAKARTA NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have had good relations over the years. The two of them worked together on various science missions, including the exchange of asteroid samples.
The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), a research organization from JAXA, revealed that NASA and JAXA had held a meeting before the Bennu asteroid sample was submitted. This meeting was held in mid-July.
During the meeting, NASA's Academy of Science Mission Directorate Administrator Nicola Fox and JAXA Deputy Director General ISAS Fujimoto Masaki discussed their collaboration for the Artemis mission, including for the whole science mission.
Masaki explained that JAXA and NASA members always meet once every two weeks. This meeting was originally created to discuss the Artemis VII mission, then added with the latest collaboration plan for the Artemis III mission.
"However, during this conversation, I realized that this meeting will discuss Artemis VII, and now we are working together for Artemis III. So, I am changing the meeting to discuss Artemis science, starting from Artemis III and continuing to Artemis VII," Masaki explained.
Meanwhile, Fox explained that JAXA shared many interesting science ideas during routine meetings. Although uncertain, JAXA may include some of its instruments into the launch of the Artemis III mission.
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"We have JAXA participation in several instruments that use Commercial Moon Loading Service (CLPS). I think we also have JAXA participation in the Artemis III surface instrument. So once again, very good collaboration," said Fox.
In line with the preparations for Artemis, Fox explained that NASA is trying to push for the future of science through their various missions, technology, and data. NASA is also actively establishing international cooperation, including with JAXA.
"We want to make sure that we maximize the science we can do with a diverse set of data and a complete program. We feel that we can do really great science... allow us to keep pace in bringing science to the Moon," Fox explained.