Jun 29 (NHK) - Japan's space agency has proposed to a government panel a plan to send Japanese astronauts to the moon after 2025.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA presented the idea to the science ministry's panel on Wednesday. The panel is tasked with discussing the direction of the country's space exploration.
JAXA says it will not develop a manned spacecraft on its own that requires huge development costs.
Instead, it will make a technological contribution to a multinational project on a manned lunar probe. They hope this will gain them the right to send Japanese to the moon.
The agency expects preparations for such a project to start around 2025.
The ministry's panel plans to compile a report on the vision of the country's space exploration by March.
This is the first time for JAXA to officially reveal its intent to dispatch astronauts beyond the International Space Station.
Source: ANNnewsCH
