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The article reports on Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) H3 rocket, scheduled for its second launch attempt in February, crucial for Japan's exploration plans and the country's space station resupply missions. Topics include the H3 rocket's development, specifications, versions and its significance for delivering cargo to the Gateway lunar space station, showcasing its potential evolution into a heavy version akin to existing heavy-lift rockets.

Japan is planning to launch the world's first wooden satellite, called LignoSat, in September. Developed by researchers at Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, the satellite is a small cube made using a traditional Japanese technique that doesn't require screws or glue. It will be deployed into orbit after arriving at the International Space Station (ISS) and will be studied to see how it holds up in space. If successful, this could lead to the development of more environmentally friendly satellites that reduce the harmful impact of reentry into Earth's atmosphere. [Extracted from the article]

The US and Japan are set to announce plans for a Japanese astronaut to join a NASA lunar mission, making them the first non-American to do so. The announcement is expected to be made during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Washington, signaling stronger economic and defense ties between the two nations and competing with China in the race to the moon. This move follows the Biden administration's success in space diplomacy, including collaborations with India and the signing of the Artemis Accords. China, on the other hand, is seeking support for a research base on the moon but has had limited success in gaining commitments. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea fired a missile over Japan for the first time in five years, further ratcheting up tensions over Kim Jong Un's nuclear program and prompting a rare public safety warning to be issued by Tokyo. South Korea's president said North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations would only further strengthen security cooperation in and outside the region, Yoon's office said in a statement. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the history of the International Space Station (ISS). The original space station program known as Freedom started in 1988 with the U.S., Japan, Canada and Europe. In 1993, Russia was invited to participate in the program. With 15 countries cooperating to assemble the ISS, the orbiting outpost is both a diplomatic achievement and an engineering wonder. The ISS is the largest and most complicated spacecraft ever built with scientists using its facilities to make life on earth better for people of all nations.

The article discusses the space race in Asia. China's first spacewalk in September 2008 is noted as part of the country's plans to create a space station by 2015 and to send astronauts to the moon by 2020. India's robotic exploration program is described, along with Japan's plans to expand its International Space Station and to explore military applications. Reinforced national status is noted as a result of space programs.

Contends that Japan is methodically pursuing the goal of becoming a major space power but that it is doing so slowly. Consideration of the Institute for Space and Astronautical Sciences; Details about the Geotail mission, a project to explore the interaction of Earth's magnetic field with the solar wind; How the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) is Japan's primary space agency; Hopes for future Japanese accomplishments; Plight to launch an advanced Lunar Mobile Explorer in 2000. INSETS: A corporate commitment to space;Japan--an ambitious rising star;WHERE FISH ARE KING;THE OUTER SPACE BEAT

Reports on the beginning of the construction phase of the Space Station "Freedom" in December 1990. Political problems of the past, including getting budget allocations for the project; View that the space station is the first step in humanity's move to the moon and Mars; International cooperation between the U.S., Japan, the European Space Agency, and Canada in the project; View that the space station needs a single, unifying objective, and that the project lacks guidance from the U.S. government; Complications in scheduling the launching of the space station's components. INSET: A New Partner?.

The article reports on the plan of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency to deliver art facilities to the International Space Station (ISS). It states that the equipment will be transported to the ISS through the agency's space shuttle Endeavour and will be utilized in the creation of paintings. The agency also encourages the public to submit poetry concerning space which will be posted on its Kibo laboratory.

Discusses the role that the National Space Development Agency of Japan's (NASDA) Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) will play in the Space Station Freedom. Development of JEM by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; Hardware-software development and experience in manned spaceflight that the JEM will provide for the Japanese; Amount that the Japanese are spending on the JEM; Desire of Japan to start its own independent manned space program; Doubts among the Japanese space community about Freedom; Questioning of whether JEM and Japanese programs are tied too closely to the U.S.; Description of the JEM lab, including its robot work arm; Establishment of Japan Manned Space Systems in preparation to operate JEM; Expectation of the Japanese to have at least two Japanese astronauts orbiting inside the JEM lab by the late 1990s; Major subcontractors of JEM, including Nissan Motor; Experiments that will be conducted in JEM, including biology and biotechnology.

Presents news briefs concerning outer-space exploration. Studies of the firm Rockwell International on the possibility of moon-mining scenarios; Experiment of astronauts aboard the space station Mir on raising Japanese quail in space; Conference in Switzerland which focused on space commercialization; Contracts which were awarded by the National Aeronautics & Space Administration Lewis Research Center to several aerospace companies to study on-orbit storage of cryogens for propellants and use in life-support systems; Technique which is being developed by Japanese engineers involving a compressed air launching system to increase the payload ratio to the gross weight of a rocket.

Offers international news as of November 6, 1999. How the Japanese government has advised citizens to stockpile several days worth of food in preparation for the millennium bug; How Germany has given Turkey a mobile laboratory for detecting chemical weapons that can be mounted on a truck; Reports that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has had to move the International Space Station to avoid a Pegasus rocket and their prediction that they will have to move it twice a year to avoid space debris.

The article explores the issue of the utilization of the U.S. racks at the International Space Station (ISS). It notes that three U.S. racks will be moved into Kibo from the U.S. Destiny lab in order to conduct experiments. About half of the rack space on the station is controlled by the U.S. while Japan and the European Union intend to use the ISS for scientific and industrial research. Kibo is said to have more room and more quiet compared with the rest of the station.

The article reports that the Tsukuba Space Center of Japan, Asia's first space station mission control, will go online with the arrival of Kibo modules to the International Space Station (ISS). Tsukuba also served as the development and testing center for the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is contributing to the ISS.

Focuses on the Japanese International Space Station (ISS) hardware. Investments made on the project; Magnitude of the contribution of Japan to the ISS; Use of a Japanese Experiments Module internal mockup for training of astronauts.

Focuses on the $3.1-billion Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) program to be included with the International Space Station. Japan's hope to obtain fundamental manned space development technology and to gain a platform for space utilization experimental research; The focus on unmanned operations and robotics, and on research into new manufacturing techniques and semiconductors.

The article reports that Japan is preparing a Cabinet-level space plan which will build on the long-duration station on the International Space Station that is just beginning for veteran Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata. According to the article, the key to the country's plans for the human portion of its space program centers on the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), an autonomous cargo carrier scheduled to make its first flight to the ISS on an H-IIB rocket in September 2009.

The article reports on the planned integration of Canadian and Japanese hardware into the International Space Station (ISS) as the long-planned partnership takes final shape in space. Waiting just offstage is Europe's big new Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which will ease the post-shuttle supply crunch. Some successful propulsion troubleshooting afterward, the ATV is set to begin rendezvous and docking tests with the ISS as soon as Endeavour departs.

The article reports on the purchase of 14 digital video recording systems from TV Magic Inc. by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan's equivalent of NASA. The first component of TV Magic's system was launched into space in March 2008 in the space shuttle Endeavour while the second component was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 31, 2008.

The article reports on the spacewalk conducted by astronaut Scott Parazynski to fix a damaged power panel on the International Space Station on November 3, 2007. His successful spacewalk prepared the way for European and Japanese laboratory modules to be delivered in early 2008. It is stated that the space station is about to become a lot more international after ten years of largely U.S. and Russian effort.

Informs that Japanese scientists have signed their first agreement to conduct experiments aboard the Russian space station Mir. Focus on the tests including research on how to prevent bacteria and mold from becoming a health hazard on the United States-led international space station.

Speculates about the potential that Japan will become a major player in the quest to develop space by the beginning of the twenty-first century. Recommendations of Japan's Consultative Committee on Long-Term Policy, noting a focus on building space infrastructure; When Japan will be able to launch satellites and rockets, according to the periodical "Science & Technology in Japan"; Efforts of the Taisei Corporation in the development of a space-shuttle; International cooperation among Japan, Canada, the United States and the European Space Agency, related to the construction of a space station.

Discusses how funding for the U.S. Space Station Freedom has been substantially reduced, with Congress mandating the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) to return to its drafting tables and consider new design approaches. Proposal of various design operations; Expectations for a reduction in Space Station funding; Consideration of the involvement of international partners such as Europe and Japan; Upgrade in crew size.

The article discusses the development of a space elevator to carry people and objects to a space station. The U.S., Europe and Japan have their own plans for one and may become a reality by the year 2050. The idea came about because of the need to find a cheaper device to carry things and people to a space station. The station and elevator will be powered by electricity provided by solar panels which is cheaper than rocket fuel, but needs cables that will be stronger and lighter than steel.

An encyclopedia entry for the International Space Station (ISS) is presented. It states that the ISS is the largest cooperative scientific project in history with cooperating nations including the U.S., Russia, and Canada. It cites the impact of the grounding of U.S. space shuttles following the Columbia disaster and the complications with Discovery in 2005 on the station. The Japanese contribution to the space station is also noted.

The article reports that about $2 billion is needed to deploy the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and its Ares 1 launcher before the space shuttle's retirement in 2010, according to NASA administrator Mike Griffin. It says that NASA is paying Russia to bring U.S. astronauts and their supplies to station and is also willing to pay the European and Japanese space agencies to make additional cargo. Griffin explained the action being taken by the NASA to determine the impact of the space shuttle's retirement.

This section offers news briefs and events in China. According to a blueprint for space development by 2010 framed by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, China plans to realize spacewalk, spacecraft rendezvous and docking and set up a space laboratory. The Foundation of Social Heroes in Guangzhou also upped the highest sum provided to those who incur disabilities while performing heroic deeds. It also reports on two male pandas from Japan that will become the first overseas-born twin pandas ever to come back to China.

Presents information on the rivalry between the United States and Japan in the field of technology. Discussion on how the U.S. Vice President Al Gore eclipsed Japan's announcement of its plans to test-fly a model of its proposed space shuttle, HOPE; Focus on the half-scale prototype VentureStar; Reasons for building VentureStar seems to be to ferry goods and people to and from the international space stations.

Profiles the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) for the Space Station Freedom. How JEM will provide Japan with its first real experience in human spaceflight; Consideration of astronomical and Earth observation experiments which can be accomplished in the vacuum of space; How the launch of JEM is scheduled for February of 1998.

Suggests that space organizations could develop their financial resources by investing them into a Grass Roots Investment Program (GRIP). Costs of making a significant investment in developing companies; View that if space settlement is to occur, it must be led by the private sector; Competition in space exploration between the U.S. and Japan.

Reports that the Soviet government has agreed to fly a Japanese reporter from the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) to the Soviet space station Mir in 1991. Amount to be paid by TBS to the Soviets; Competition by the USSR Journalists Union for a chance to go to Mir.

Reports on the plans of the Japan Science and Technology Agency to build a drop test facility for simulating microgravity. Aim to study the basic physical phenomena, in forming metallic materials; Contribution of Japan to the Freedom Space Station.

Reports the launching of the first commercial shot in the Russian module of the international space station by Dentsu advertising agency in Tokyo, Japan.