As for the HTV being developed by Japan as a means of supply delivery to the ISS, manufacturing of the Engineering Model (EM) is now well underway, and manufacture of the Protoflight Model (PFM) components has been just started.
In respect of the Centrifuge, which will be manufactured in Japan and supplied to the US as an offset to the cost of launching Kibo, the preliminary design review has been completed, and we are now manufacturing the PFM of the Centrifuge Accommodation Module (CAM), the EM of the Centrifuge Rotor (CR) to be housed in the CAM, and the PFM of the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG).
NASDA has requested a budget from the government needed for the development of those Japanese contributions on schedule. With respect to the financial resource for the JEM development, in particular, by the end of JFY 1999, 99% of contract awards and 92% of payments to manufacturers are expected to complete.
Personally, what is it like to interact with the world's space agencies on such an immense project?
I feel absolutely wonderful that we are now in an age when leading countries of the world can get together and promote a massive science and technology project like the International Space Station program. Towards the 21st century, it should stand as a symbol, not just of space development, but of international cooperation in general.
Recently, the heads of the world's five space agencies in charge of the International Space Station program have been meeting once or twice a year to discuss various aspects of the program. Through the discussion, each head is able to share experience and knowledge gained by other countries through implementing their contributions. Japan, as one of the partner countries, has benefited from it. The experience and knowledge obtained have been not only directly of great use for Japan's space development, but deepen mutual understanding between the individuals concerned.
Expansion of the exchange of experience and knowledge and further deepening of mutual understanding in this way is without doubt something quite beneficial on a personal level. It is, however, quite certain that there [is] something beyond [the] personal level -- It is also beneficial for establishing a firm foundation for international cooperation on agency and national international levels.
With delays having already hit the space station, and perhaps several delays more to come, is it frustrating to be a part of this international conglomeration? How do you personally - and the space program in general - deal with the adversity?
There is undeniably some frustration in me, and probably in many people engaged in the ISS program, concerning the delay in the ISS program. However, we have to be patient with some revision to the original plan which might arise in a program of great technical complexity, of gigantic scale, and of long term like ISS, any aspect of which is being experienced for the first time in the human history. I think the fact that the participating countries are advancing the program together while they are overcoming their respective difficulties is, in itself, of great significance for the coexistence of international societies and progress of mankind in the future. As such, I will do all I can to ensure its success.
Japan is fully aware that there is great expectation towards this program both inside and outside the country, and has been endeavoring, and will endeavor, to ensure the smooth progress of the program by communicating and cooperating closely with the other international partners.
What are some direct and indirect benefits of the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station to the Japanese people?
The aim of the International Space Station is to utilize space, through international cooperation, for expanding mankind's common intellectual heritage as well as solving global environmental problems. The fruits obtained through the ISS program would without doubt greatly benefit mankind as a whole, including the Japanese people.
In the ISS program, each partner country will make respective contributions of special character. Japan, as one of the participating countries, is aimed at achieving the following goals by developing and operating the unique Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), nicknamed "Kibo", which has some special features such as an Exposed Facility.
[First, it will allow us] to carry out microgravity-based research on material engineering, life sciences, and other sciences, and encourage the development of new materials, medicine, etc., which consequently could create new industries.
[We will be able to use] the Exposed Facility of JEM to carry out long-team astronomical observation, earth observations, radiological research, with a view to acquiring new scientific knowledge while identifying clues to help solve global environmental problems at the same time.
[We will] contribute to the progress of manned space technology, and thus contribute to the expansion of manned space activities in the 21st century, together with the United States, Russia, and other countries with advanced technology.
[Finally, we hope to expand] opportunities for the utilization of space in fields other than natural sciences (e.g. humanities and social sciences) to provide new possibilities for creative human activities in culture, education, and so on.
Japan is a country with scarce natural resources, [but] emphasis has been put on promotion of science and technology as national policies. From this point of view, the importance of steady space development has been also emphasized. Japanese people have enjoyed various fruits of its space program.
Deeper interest and wider understanding by young people of science and technology have been strongly and successfully pursued, through such activities as astronauts' appearances. Giving [people] hopes and dreams by providing new information, the undertakings of space development also provides opportunities to remind people of the limited nature of our planet, and of the importance of a sense of solidarity and of the urgent necessity to solve global problems such as problems of the environment.
In what areas is the Japanese space program the best in the world? What are its strengths? In what areas does your country rely on other nations?
An appraisal of Japan's space program could most appropriately be made by a third party and, therefore, I would like to refrain from making assessment of the performance of Japan's space program. It might be helpful, however, in order to reply to your question, to touch upon some aspects referred to in an evaluation report made by a group of external experts, in which NASDA's following achievements were highly praised.
The achievement of a world-class autonomous space transportation capability for Japan (the H-II Launch Vehicle, in particular).
The significant achievements in communications, broadcasting and meteorological satellite systems as well as in development of related advanced R&D.
The impressive diversity of achievements in developing capabilities for Earth Observation with satellites including ADEOS and TRMM, bringing NASDA to a new level of maturity and making it fully competitive in ambitious world-class programs.
Progress made to date in the development of the whole range of projects contributing to the International Space Station program.
The key contribution of NASDA to the establishment of a world-class space technology base in Japan.
The strengths of Japan's space program, I believe, lie in the ability to conduct a broad range of R&D activities, including development of satellites, launch vehicles, and the International Space Station, without specializing in any single technology, despite its small budget and staff. When compared to NASA in the current numbers, NASDA is one-tenth and one-twentieth in size of budget and staff respectively.
With respect to manned space transportation, Japan, due to the lack of its own means of transportation, has to depend on the US.
What do you see of the future of Asian nations' space programs, including Japan, India and China? What will be their role in the future? Will they be held closely by military interests, or will space science be a primary goal?
I am well aware that other countries in Asia are tackling space development with great vigor, but am not in the position to comment on the aims of their space programs.
With respect to international cooperation in the Asian region, it should be recognized to be extremely important. From our point of view, NASDA has been making efforts to construct favorable relationships with other countries in Asia via APRSAF [the Asia-Pacific Region Space Agency Federation] and COPUOS [the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space of the United Nations], among others.
In any case, Japan's space programs are restricted to those for peaceful purposes, and our cooperation with the Asian region remains within the bounds of peaceful purposes.
advertisement
