The European Union (EU) and Japan are expected to launch a new joint space development project, including lunar surface exploration, starting in 2026.
On the 6th, Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), stated in an interview with Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) that "an agreement has been reached to promote a new joint plan with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)." The specific project plan is expected to be finalized within this year, with an investment estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of yen (several billion won) range.
The new project under consideration includes lunar and Mars exploration as well as analysis of greenhouse gas concentrations on Earth using satellites. The lunar surface is known to contain water and mineral resources, so active exploration activities by various countries are anticipated in the future.
Asteroid observation is also one of the promising joint projects. Director General Aschbacher cited an asteroid approaching Earth within 30,000 km in 2029 as an example, expressing expectations that asteroid observation will enable analysis of the impact asteroids may have on Earth.
This will be the first large-scale joint space project between the EU and Japan in 26 years since the 2000 Earth observation satellite "Earth Care" project. Nikkei reported, "With China and India showing their presence in the space sector, Japan and Europe aim to enhance their competitiveness through cooperation."
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