Indo – Japan collaboration for JAP Moon Mission
A significant milestone in international cooperation in space exploration between India and Japan highlights India’s growing role in lunar missions as an established players.
An agreement between India and Japan was announced on 17 October 2024, during the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy.
This memorandum now serves as a framework for future negotiations regarding space deployment missions.
This partnership between Indian space company HEX20 Labs and the Japanese lunar exploration company ispace aims to deploy the CubeSat into lunar orbit using ispace’s lunar lander, marking a pivotal step in India’s standing in space exploration.
The mission is designed to provide reliable and cost-effective satellite platforms for various applications, including scientific research and technology demonstrations in lunar space.
The CubeSat will contribute to ongoing lunar exploration efforts by gathering data and testing new technologies.
This initiative represents a strategic move for India in the realm of space exploration, particularly as it will enhance its capabilities beyond Earth’s orbit.
HEX20 is focused on developing advanced satellite technology that can operate effectively in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and lunar environments.
This mission follows Japan’s recent achievements with its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which successfully landed on January 19, 2024.
SLIM was notable for its precision landing capabilities, aiming for a target area just 100 meters wide—an unprecedented feat for lunar landings.
The success of SLIM not only marked Japan’s fifth successful soft landing on the Moon but also established new standards for precision in lunar exploration missions.
The collaboration between HEX20 and ispace is expected to leverage advancements made by SLIM and other recent missions, paving the way for future lunar exploration initiatives that could include joint missions between Japan and India, such as the proposed Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission.
