Japan Bolsters 'Artemis Program' with Crewed Pressurized Rover, Accelerating Lunar Exploration

On April 10, 2024, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed an agreement on the implementation of lunar exploration using a manned pressurized rover. This agreement is the first implementation agreement following the "Basic Agreement on Japan-US Space Cooperation" concluded between the Japanese and US governments in January 2023.

Under this agreement, Japan will be responsible for providing the manned pressurized rover. The agreement also includes a provision that two Japanese astronauts will have the opportunity to conduct activities on the lunar surface.

The manned pressurized rover is the world's first and only lunar surface driving system that allows occupants to live and move without spacesuits. This rover has the potential to significantly expand the range of human activities in future lunar exploration.

JAXA is steadily progressing the research and development of the manned pressurized rover to achieve the goals of the Artemis program, and is making necessary preparations for the lunar surface activities of Japanese astronauts.

Japanese astronauts have expressed their expectations for this agreement. Astronaut Soichi Noguchi said, "I am very pleased that human lunar exploration will proceed through international cooperation with challenges and contributions from Japan's areas of strength. Thank you to everyone involved." Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide said, "The 'Implementation Agreement on Lunar Exploration Using a Manned Pressurized Rover,' which will be the next major step in human lunar exploration, has been concluded. Japan will be responsible for a very important function that is essential for further expanding the range of human activity and sustaining activities on the lunar surface. It is a new challenge that no one has ever experienced before, but I would like to contribute by bringing together the technology that Japan has accumulated so far, and working together with stakeholders from all over the world as a member of the JAXA astronaut corps."

JAXA has stated that it will further accelerate international cooperation in the Artemis program and make every effort in research and development in order to create human knowledge and expand the range of human activities.