Jun 30 (NHK) - Japan's strategic council for space development has laid out a goal to bring back samples from one of Mars' moons in fiscal 2029.
The council compiled a mid-term report on Tuesday on the schedule of the basic space policy. The schedule is revised annually at the end of each year.
The council aims to have the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, successfully launch a probe in fiscal 2024 to realize the plan of bringing back samples from Phobos to Earth five years later.
The report also includes a scheme to establish an original system that will enable authorities to quickly grasp the situation in case of natural disasters by using many small satellites.
It calls for a strategic engagement by the public and private sectors for that purpose.
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide told the council that space is a frontier that gives people dreams and hopes, and at the same time, a foundation that supports the future economy and society. Suga said that based on the council's decision, he will strengthen any necessary measures.