C. Space Exploration Exploration Technologies for the Artemis Program

In 2019, the United States announced the Artemis Program, and the Government of Japan promptly declared its participation. In 2020, Japan and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Lunar Gateway, a manned lunar-orbiting platform. Implementing arrangements followed for the Gateway in 2022 and for lunar surface exploration using the pressurized rover in 2024.

To fulfill these international commitments, JAXA continues to advance research and development in four areas:

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS),
Deep-space rendezvous technologies,
Surface exploration technologies
Lunar landing and ascent technologies.

This follows the research objectives and technology roadmaps set out in Japan’s Proposed International Space Exploration Scenario, which is developed and continuously updated by the JAXA Space Exploration Center. The aim is to advance technologies that leverage Japan’s strengths and make significant contributions to international space exploration.

Overall scenario and roadmap for international space exploration
(From Japan’s Proposed International Space Exploration Scenario 2025)

Research Overview

Guided by the scenarios and roadmaps presented in Japan’s Proposed International Space Exploration Scenario, JAXA is conducting the following advanced and foundational research within the space exploration domain:

Research on Environmental Control and Life Support Systems

Research and development of air and water revitalization systems, waste management technologies, and environmental monitoring systems to support international human space exploration missions, including the Gateway and the pressurized rover.

Research on Deep-Space Rendezvous Technologies

Research on Flash LiDAR to develop cargo resupply technologies for manned and unmanned deep-space platforms (including on-orbit demonstrations using HTV-X); deep-space orbit determination technologies (including demonstrations through MMX); trajectory design and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) technologies to support missions in the vicinity of the Moon (e.g., Gateway resupply and a lunar positioning system); and improvement of thruster performance and robustness.

Research on Surface Exploration Technologies

Development of propellant production technologies that use lunar regolith as feedstock, with system integration validated through a small-scale ground pilot plant.
JAXA is also researching resource prospecting, excavation, and extraction technologies for lunar base development, as well as environmental resilience technologies such as dust mitigation and technologies for operation under extreme cryogenic conditions on the lunar surface.

Research on Lunar Landing and Ascent Technologies

Research on throttleable bipropellant engines, which are essential for future lunar landers, as well as studies to improve understanding of the plume–surface interaction (PSI) phenomena that occur during landing and liftoff.