Japan
Takes First Steps Toward One Space Agency
Japan's three major
government space agencies have taken the first tentative steps
toward a possible merger later this decade. The three space
agencies, the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA),
the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the
National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) are now affiliated with
the new super Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology.
The
three agencies signed a cooperative agreement to collaborate on all
projects. This agreement, effective immediately, is the first step
in the planned merger of the three entities in a future Japanese
Aerospace Agency. The three agencies are establishing a joint
program office to coordinate launch vehicle development, and will
begin the sharing of ground facilities such as tracking stations and
information technology support services. The initial phase of
cooperation will be over three years at which time the success of
the joint activities will be reviewed.
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